<p>My mother constantly nags me that I need to work harder in school so that I can get to my dream college, Northwestern. Her arguement is that everyone on the East Coast is working far harder than us West Coast kids and they are the ones making it into the better schools. Is this true? If so to what extent? I hear from many people that they work nonstop and don’t give themselves a break even during Christmas time…What really is the difference between an east and west coast kid?</p>
<p>I am an East Coast Mom and I don’t think you can make generalizations about us! lol
While I always encourage my kids to try hard and do their best, what I really hope for is for them to be happy and enjoy themselves. For me, the importance is finding the right balance between school work and leisure time activities not only in school, but in life. I mentioned to my college age son that doing well in HS would give him more choices in his college selections, I always left the choice up to him. I think the motivation has to come from the kid, not the parent. </p>
<p>I can tell you that the East Coast kids certainly do take breaks and enjoy lots of fun activities, travel, etc.</p>
<p>Northwestern has to be your dream, not hers. If you really want it then you will work for it. If not, then there are many other good schools to aspire to both on the East Coast and West Coast and places in-between.</p>
<p>There seems to be more smart or hardworking kids in the east coast only because they have more people there. There are more dumb kids there too. In fact, the upper midwest has higher AVERAGE SAT than the east coast, including those states in New England.</p>
<p>I would assume that’s because the SAT is near-universal here in the Northeast and is taken only by applicants to competitive colleges in place of the ACT in states such as MN, IA, and the Dakotas.</p>
<p>okay, that could be an excuse. but as far as graduation rates go: [High</a> School Graduation Rates in the United States | Table 2](<a href=“http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/cr_baeo_t2.htm]High”>http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/cr_baeo_t2.htm)</p>
<p>the upper midwest definitely outperforms others</p>
<p>Generalizations like this are most likely always untrue. There will never be a clean cut “yes” or “no” unless the whole west coast is suddenly plagued with a dumb-virus.</p>
<p>Sam Lee, that link you provided is no use to anyone. It’s almost 7 years out-dated. Things have changed since 2001.</p>
<p>maybe. i am just providing stats fyi.</p>
<p>Of course I know there are exceptions to this generalization. I just really want to know what your thoughts are on the matter because, as stated, I hear this idea so often. Thank you for your opinions and stats so far. </p>
<p>As for the whole the whole NU deal, my mom is not forcing or influencing me to go there. She has never even heard of it. Actually, I am the first person in my family to go to college. I do all the research and all of the deciding. My parents know nothing about the system. That’s why I’m here on CC. Sorry I just had to state that. Not to be defensive but everytime I mention NU someone has to bring up the whole “helicopter parent” situation. It can be quite exasperating hearing it so often.</p>
<p>I just phrased my question abit too strongly. I was just in a bad mood…</p>
<p>Your mom is right. Although these 2001 stats say differently. Being that I lived in Long Island and now live in Florida, I have experienced 2 COMPLETELY different types of school systems. Northeast schools offer more oppurtunities, IMO. For some reason its just a more laid back (not a good thing) in the South than in the Northeast.</p>
<p>soccerstar18, </p>
<p>I have heard that too.</p>
<p>Yeah, and it sucks.</p>
<p>Whether it sucks or not completely depends on your values.</p>
<p>Are your values 24-7 education and elitist? Then you aren’t going to like it here.</p>
<p>Are your values to have a decent education but to also enjoy life, the beaches, the beautiful women that tend to take care of themselves more here, etc.? Then you’d love it here. </p>
<p>They are two different worlds IMO.</p>
<p>High school is definitely not everything. You can be very successful without high schoolou can get into college without high school. Just work with what you have and enjoy life. Honestly, what is so ground breaking about high school chemistry or algebra? Not much. There is more to life than high schoo…</p>
<p>Ehh I"m prolly saying this cuz i miss new york. way better than florida. haha.</p>
<p>I’m from California, whether the women are twice as hot as Florida’s women (and florida’s women are definitely lookers) and Latinos rock the boat 
</p>
<p>But I’ve been to New York every once in a while to visit my family in The BX (hopefully you’re not too uppity to not know what that is :P)</p>
<p>West coast all the way!</p>
<p>The west coast does not really lag behind the east coast in any way. Look at the California National Merit scores.</p>
<p>I think your education is what you make of it. Sure, some schools might have a slight advantage, but what really matters is what you put into it.</p>