I wasn’t claiming that. I don’t even know how common it is at elite schools for people to graduate with below a 3.0. For all I know, my buddy and Geo W. Bush were the only people to ever graduate from an Ivy with less than a 3.0 . All’s I’m sayin’ is that if you are smart enough to get in an elite school,you are probably UN-likely to get below a 3.0 at just about every non-elite school. You’re probably unlikely to get below a 3.0 at an elite school, too, but it’s just one more factor to consider.Bottom line for me is I think being one of the smarter students at a less-elite school is an underrated advantage for these numerous students who are deciding between an elite school and a less-elite school.
You’re welcome to that opinion, @moooop. I’d disagree. I’d rather be challenged and stimulated by being surrounded by smarties. Not that everyone at an elite school is brilliant! But many are.
Delurk, I’ve attended a wide range of colleges , and was amazed at how many “smarties” there were at some of the ones people wouldnt’t generally call elite (eg., U of Iowa). You can still be challenged and surrounded by smarties, just not the same % of them.
Maybe rather than “advantage,” I should have said it can be an unexpectedly favorable silver lining to going to a less-elite school…as in “ok, I’m not among wall-to-wall geniuses, but all is not lost; i can make the most of this situation by getting good grades, impressing my professors, getting good recommendations, graduating with honors, getting chosen to help with research, etc.”
@marvin100
Part of the reason I wrote this post was of a personal experience. I was having a conversation with a group of people going on my school’s college trip. One student was really excited about Pitzer and the Claremont Colleges, wanting to go into the social sciences. When another student heard this, they commented, “Why go to a small school like that? Stanford is better and has a lower admission rate.” I don’t think I’m looking down on that person’s views when I label them as rude, elitist, and juvenile. This kind of behavior isn’t acceptable. I’m all for free speech, but not when people are being unnecessarily rude. You’re trying to take the moral high ground when there isn’t any on your side of the issue.
Wait, so you came here to complain about a few classmates? I guess the high ground has been evacuated.
@marvin100
Seriouly, stop using fallacies. This is just one of a number of incidents I have noticed, so I came here to see what others thought about this. You don’t have to stoop to petty insults just because you are unable to properly argue your point.
Round, there is nothing wrong with pointing out that it’s not bright to choose a place to spend 4 years because it has a lower admit %.