<p>Hello, I am a senior student and I just got my acceptance letter from
‘Northeastern University - 6 year pharmacy degree (honors)’ program.
I am thrilled, and am thinking of attending;
but there’s one thing that’s bugging me.</p>
<p>My sister goes to Berkeley and I’m afraid that people are going to compare me with my sister, 'cause I went to a ‘not-so-elite’ school.</p>
<p>I know some people will say ‘name of school’ don’t mean anything’ but If you are an asian and is living in an asian community, it does matter
(It’s as if Your value as a person is judged on the rank of your university)</p>
<p>and I think I am going crazy over this ‘prestige’ thing.
I was even thinking of preparing to transfer…
What should I do?
Should I wait until April to find out whether I’ve been accepted to the other univ. I applied to?</p>
<p>I really like NEU (Pretty campus… plus its a pharm D, and honors so small class size which I love) but I’m afraid that people will be talking about how I didn’t do so well in the admissions game.</p>
<p>so in conclusion, my question is:</p>
<p>Any advice how to get rid of this ‘name-obession’ thing?</p>
<p>Concentrate on looking forward to being a student in Boston, one of the best places to be, and on the prospect of emerging in 6 years with an advanced degree, work experience through the coop, and most likely a well-paying job in the region of your choice.</p>
<p>Presumably, you applied to a career-oriented program because that was what appealed to you. And Northeastern may not have the name recognition of Berkeley, but it is hardly chopped liver.</p>
<p>I know just dumping that baggage is easier said than done for someone living in your community, but… just dump that baggage. ;)</p>
<p>If you’re going into pharmacy it is seriously not going to matter a bit where you go to college as long as they have the program you want.</p>
<p>Sure, wait and see about your other application, but if you liked Northeastern and the small classes and pretty campus make it feel like the right spot for you, just settle in and be happy. In a few short years you’re just going to be out in the world trying to make a living like everybody else. No one will care if your sister went to Berkeley.</p>
<p>Because I so don’t care about prestige I can’t relate, but I still have a couple of ideas.</p>
<p>1) Yes, wait, until you find out about other acceptances before accepting this offer.</p>
<p>2) Because you do care about prestige – although I would argue you don’t really care about college prestige but really about what others think, but you’re not going to change them – start rehearsing a speech for why NEU is the best choice for YOU. What’s better about NEU than Berkeley, or wherever? You’ve already listed a few things – honors program, smaller class size, pretty campus. You could even go snarky on them and say, “I know some people judge schools just by their “names,” but when you narrow your options by chasing prestige, you don’t even see the other great places that might be better fits. Yes, I could have pursued Berkeley like my sister – and, don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled she’s happy there! – but I’m looking for other qualities in a college. For instance, did you know the avg freshman class size at Big Name X is 300, what with those large lecture halls? At NEU, because I’m in the honors program, no class will be larger than 30 students so I’ll be able to have stronger relationships with full professors right away instead of being one of 300 taught by a TA. This will help me land interships/research opportunities/whatever more easily earlier in my academic career. Besides, it’s a beautiful campus? Have you visited?”</p>
<p>I would go with a school where you could also get a very good education outside of pharmacy if you should change your mind. Many pre-meds change their kind after a year or two.</p>
<p>One possible answer to the “prestige” question is:</p>
<p>“I want to prepare for a career as a pharmacist. The best places to study pharmacy aren’t necessarily the colleges that are considered best for other things. Northeastern has a really good pharmacy program where I will be able to finish in six years, instead of the eight years it might take me somewhere else. It’s a great choice for me.”</p>
<p>The point here is that you fight the “prestige” thing by saying that Northeastern is the best place for YOU. You are the one who matters, after all. </p>
<p>And what you would be saying is the truth. For people with specialized career plans, the usual rankings don’t apply. You need to be at a school that meets your specific pre-career needs, not necessarily one that’s high in the U.S. News rankings.</p>
<p>If that doesn’t work, talk fast and slur your words. Maybe they’ll think you said Northwestern. ;)</p>
I think this is the key. Study that statement by you and understand what it means. It doesn’t matter what others think and they shouldn’t be comparing your desires to your sister’s desires anyway since you’re two different people. If they ever question you, which would generally be rude, you can always just say you selected your particular school because you like it better, which would be the truth.</p>
<p>IMO you should wait to see all your options before making a final decision since it doesn’t seem as if you have anything to lose.</p>
<p>Berkeley’s a fine school and both of my Ds were accepted but both turned it down for other schools (other UCs) because they just liked the other schools better. Realistically it makes no difference in their education or careers which one of these they would have selected so it makes more sense to go to the one they prefer.</p>
<p>Once you get to college you are surrounded by a whole group of new peers who want to be where you are. You should not choose a college so your parents have a name to brag about. When people ask you, just say: I love the school and the city, and it has what I want. I’m excited! Then change the subject.</p>
<p>A friend of my son’s is in the pharmacy program at Northeastern. It was his top choice for many reasons, especially because he spent most of his childhood in the Boston area and then moved in 9th grade. He was an excellent student in HS. I understand that he’s happy there. And he’s Asian!</p>
<p>I empathize with the feeling of wanting to please your father ( I remember that emotion all too well). That said, both of our kids (twins) struggled with the "prestige"demon throughout the application and admissions process. Even after beginning school this fall ( and working non-stop), both said they believed their chosen school still wasn’t prestigious enough. Top 50 LAC on USNWR</p>
<p>While the reputation of a school is something to consider for some , ( depending upon which professional or graduate schools you may want to attend) I would encourage you to go the school where your head and heart ( not to mention family’s $) come together. I know kids who have attended Ivies and the very top tier LAC’S because their parents had that dream. This time of your life and education will be the best experience at a school that is right for you-regardless of where your sister, your parents, or friends have/are attended. Good luck and stay strong in who you are and what you want for yourself.</p>
<p>Agree with those who say don’t focus on the name of the school, particularly when first answering the question, "where are you going…</p>
<p>Say, “I got into a specialized honors program…guaranteed admission to the pharmacy school and a degree in six years. Oh, and it’s in my favorite city, Boston.” Inject your own positives and enthusiasm first, then when you say “Northeastern” people will understand why you chose it. </p>
<p>I think you may find that in these uncertain times, there’s going to be a fair amount of prestige attached to being admitted to a program that puts you on the career path you desire. That’s what your dad could be bragging about, actually.</p>
<p>And while bragging about Northeastern, you will be able to say that you will have a graduate degree AND paid internship experience (and Northeastern does have an excellent reputation for placing co-op jobs) in 6 years and will be rolling. </p>
<p>Most of your peers will be still be working on their graduate degrees with ordinary summer jobs on their resumes.</p>
<p>BTW, if you are worried about being compared to your sister, by all means do NOT go to Berkeley because that will only invite more of it.</p>
<p>If you want to be a pharmacist, you can’t do much better than Northeastern. </p>
<p>And another perk, the honors dorms at Northeastern (and for that matter most of the rest of the dorms) are better than what you would get at Berkeley. I can tell you that from first hand experience.</p>
<p>Anyone can understand that a guaranteed position in a professional school right out of high school is a great deal. </p>
<p>We’re from CA and our D went to school in Boston. She told people that she wanted to see what living back east was like and Boston was a fabulous college town. No one ever gave her a hard time about her choice.</p>
<p>You’ll be a happier person in the long run when you stop looking for validation of your own self worth from outside sources. Feelings of self worth come from…YOURSELF, not anyone else.</p>
<p>After you graduate with your pharmacy degree you will have a salary in the 6 figures, way above the average Ivy grads. Tell your dad that and he’ll be proud of you.</p>
<p>I think getting accepted to a 6-year pharm program at NEU is more impressive than your sister going to UCB. If things go accordingly, your career will be all set immediately upon graduation.</p>
<p>Op, I am a Chinese and let me share my experience of my DD’s application process. </p>
<p>Ever since they are born, I have always wanted our children to attend Harvard - the best known university with THE prestige. I pushed and I pused DD to apply while she really did not have her heart set on Harvard at all. When the rejection came, my heart was broken and it took a long time and a lot of alcohol to pass those couple very painful weeks.</p>
<p>Fastfard a year, I am dealing with that hurt much better now. But a dream of a life time is not easily eased. I am sure I will get over it some day, like when I am dead.</p>
<p>That being said, I am very happy for DD now because she is loving her school and she is having the best time of her life there. </p>
<p>All I could say is that college is part of your life experience. It will be part of you as long as you live and it is one of the identity as who you are. Like it or not, the overall society still value “name brand”. Sure, many will give examples about it does not have much effect on how you make a living. If that is all you want - an employment to earn a living, I will agree that prestige makes no difference. </p>
<p>But if you are talking about an education and life experience that will enrich your life. I would have to say that going to HPYS could be rather different than a typical State U. I don’t know anything about NEU so I could not comment about that particular school.</p>
Just to reiterate what others have said. Definitely YES, wait until you have all offers in hand! You never know if you will be offered something terrific at another school. Also, realize that you may change your mind and decide that you don’t want to be a pharmacist, so pick a school that has what you want even if you change departments. About prestige - let it go. It is YOUR life, and if the school meets your needs, then it is a good place for you. Pick YOUR best fit.</p>
