Just a few of the big names that cause students to drop everything in their high school lives and focus on a precious acceptance letter. Graphic courtesy of junior Zach Wallace.
Many students at San Luis Obispo High School orient their entire lives around attempting to be accepted into prestigious colleges, but are these colleges any better than a regular college education? Why do some students choose to place such a high value on a good name at the expense of other aspects of life?
“I am attempting to get into prestigious colleges such as Dartmouth because of the highly regarded pre-med programs and greater education and environment they provide compared to other schools,” said junior Dominick Sabatino.
Some students pursue high-caliber schools because of the superior education provided. Schools such as Harvard and Stanford are considered to provide some of the best education in the world, which many choose to best prepare them for their future careers.
“I don’t wanna go to a college that is purely academics, spending my college years only studying within the empty and desolate campuses of the Ivy Leagues that are filled with the most entitled, spoiled, and condescending people,” said junior Brendan Eagon.
Others look for greater balance in life rather than focusing solely on academics. Attending these schools can severely limit other fun opportunities and free time in both high school and college, as acceptance from these schools most likely requires tireless work throughout high school and, once accepted, will require hard work to keep up with an intense curriculum.
“While the education that one might receive could be valued at a higher standard as it is refined to a caliber that most desire to attain to perfect and exercise their strength, there is a point where the monetary value of such a slight improvement is not worth the minuscule benefits,” said junior Jack Stewart.
While education might be slightly better at prestigious schools, many believe that it may not be meaningfully better and is not enough to justify the sacrifices needed to be made in other parts of life. A degree from a prestigious college does not guarantee a better job or higher pay once entering the job market.
“I’m sure that the academic standard can be more rigorous at a prestigious school, but a regular college can also provide a great education,” said Sabatino.
These colleges also often come with staggering tuition, with schools like Columbia charging 71,000 dollars per year. High prices cause many students to take out student loans, which are difficult to pay back later on in life. The exorbitant prices charged by these schools turn off many students and lead them to pursue a more standard education at an affordable school.
“People are not aware enough to realize that the only bragging rights that come from going to Ivies are the insurmountable debt that has accumulated that will probably follow them throughout their lives,” said Eagon.
Ivy League schools and other prestigious universities come with many upsides and drawbacks; they often provide a superior education and a nice campus, but also charge high prices and can disrupt a school-life balance. Each student looks for different values when applying to college, so these characteristics may or may not be for you. Choose which school fits best for you, don’t choose simply for a name, and good luck on your path beyond high school, Tigers!
Source: columbia.edu
