<p>^ This. As an international student, maybe I have a different perspective, but here in India, you don’t look at what ‘fits’ you in terms of college, you just see the best one you can get into. Sometimes the quality of education itself matters a lot more than fit to some people (I’m not saying non ivies don’t offer excellent education, just that the Ivies do). And you’ll always find your niche in a school, I believe, unless you’re very extreme about some things (if you can’t <i>stand</i> rigid curricula a la Columbia, maybe, or you don’t like Brown’s vagueness, or whatever). Most people aren’t that extreme in their preferences. For example, I want to apply to both Uchicago (I know it’s not an ivy, but to illustrate a point-- it’s as rigid as Columbia, no?), and Brown, and I have a feeling I’d love both, because I have a strong work ethic, I like studying, and if I go to Uchicago, I’m sure I can find creative outlets on my own. But at the same time, I’d love the artsy atmosphere of Brown so if by some miraculous stroke of luck I get in there, I can both explore my creative side, plus find my own thing to study and do it well. In that context, what’s so wrong with looking for a good education with tried and tested names?</p>