Do you guys want to go to a "good" college? Why or why not?

[dsi411]

I don't know if I'm allowed to say this but I spend a lot of time the college confidential forums. Now some may say, you are only in 9th grade, why are you already researching this stuff? To that I say, it's never too early to begin preparing for college? How about you guys? Do you want to go to a top private college like Harvard or Princeton or Yale? A big, but still high performing public like UCLA? If so, what are you going to do to get you there?

[JollyToes]

I am a Junior. I have 99% made up my mind that University of Miami is where I'm going. I have gotten A's and B's all through HS and taken lots of AP and college prep courses. It doesn't hurt that my mom graduated from there :P

[Tarannosaurus]

I did want to go to Trinity College Dublin. Then I realised I'd be putting myself under huge financial pressure, so I'm just going to find a nice college in the south where the cost of living is reasonable, and find a degree that's reasonably enjoyable and has good employment opportunities. I could always go back to a better college/ degree once I've earned some money.

[charmynyankawaii]

For me since I want to study music it might be Kunitachi or Tokyo University of Arts. But then it might be a little hard to convince my parents to let me study music, because every time I say I want to study music they laugh and ask me "what's next? An animal doctor?"

[AlexOnToast]

Not really pushed when it comes to college. None of my preferred careers link in with college study.

[The Trendy Wolf]

I don't know if I'm allowed to say this but I spend a lot of time the college confidential forums. Now some may say, you are only in 9th grade, why are you already researching this stuff? To that I say, it's never too early to begin preparing for college? How about you guys? Do you want to go to a top private college like Harvard or Princeton or Yale? A big, but still high performing public like UCLA? If so, what are you going to do to get you there?

I am going to do my best to get in to Harvard or Princeton, as they are the highest performing psychology schools out there. If I don't get in, then I won't let that define how intelligent I am or anything else. I'm taking IB classes, which are slightly more challenging than AAP or Honors classes, and hopefully I will be successful enough in high school to make a good impression on each college.

[Body odah Man]

They need to have good Latin courses

[Plane And Simple]

I'd go somewhere where they prepare you well. No matter if public or private, but I need to get out with good formation.

[PinkFloyd]

I want to go to a good university so that I have a cool atmosphere among all else. I know It's not gonna be like American Pie, (the shitty movie series) but it'll still be fun versus some regular college in Southern Minnesota in a moderately sized city Like Mankato. I want to go some where big with lots of cool stuff. UCLA is my choice but I don't know.

[conniption]

I really want to go to an Ivy League university, especially Princeton, that's my ultimate dream school. Some other colleges I'm also considering are NYU, Oregon State, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Stanford.

[unknownuser]

No.
Good college doesn't necessarily prove how smart you are, nor does it guarantee a great career... what it does guarantee is debt (unless you're super lucky to get a great scholarship or your family is super rich).

I'm starting at a community college that has partnered with a four year university- I'll do two years at the CC and get my Associate's and then the following two at the four-year to get my Bachelor's. So college shmollege... I don't need to have the greatest job, making 6-digit sums. It doesn't matter where I start or how I how I get to the end, all that matters is how and where I finish.



(...and not to mention that out of pocket I'll be paying a little bit more for four years then I would have to pay for one year tuition+room/board at my state's school. That seems like a WIN in my book.)

[Cygnus]

When I visited Stanford in 2012 I thought it would be great to go there, however I'm not very fond of the US so I'm not so sure about that, but hey, it's just 4 years. As of right now the colleges I am thinking of going (depending on what I choose to study) might be UAT in Arizona, British Columbia, Stanford (although I probably won't get accepted there but I'll apply for shits and giggles), Universidad de Nebrija in Madrid, Los Andes in Colombia, or La U Católica in Chile.

[Croconaw]

I'm not going to college.

[Typhlosion]

I MESSED UP I MESSED UP I MESSED UP DAMNIT.

By 15 points I didn't get into Brazil's no.1 college for Computer Engineering. DAMN.
I still entered a top-10 college, but it has much less value in the states. :(

[Kameraden]

Probably either Princeton, Swarthmore, or Darthmouth.

[Cognizant]

I'm planning on going to Foothill community college, then possibly finish at SF State. For me, it's more about location/ease than trying to get into a well respected "brand name", overpriced UCs, and Ivy Leagues.

[DarkHorse4eva]

i've been considering college, but only so i can be close to my boyfriend and still get a required education. i haven't really thought about if it would be a good or bad college :/

[dsi411]

I'm planning on going to Foothill community college, then possibly finish at SF State. For me, it's more about location/ease than trying to get into a well respected "brand name", overpriced UCs, and Ivy Leagues.
Hey, UCs aren't overpriced if you live in California! Mostly if you have a parent in the military and you live in California. Then you get free tuition!

[Sph2015]

I have no desire to go ivy league. I really think its overrated. There are plenty of state schools that rank just as high as far as academics. Why pay for a name that really won't do anything for me?

Even beyond that, I have no desire to go out of state. Indiana has several great Universities, and I definitely do not want to pay out of state tuition.

I'm looking at either Purdue or Indiana for my undergrad (Business Management & Marketing or Public and Non-Profit Management respectively). Then, at this point, IU for law school. We'll see though.

[Ethe14]

University of Colorado Boulder, Stanford which by the way is not Ivy League, possibly Yale. But I refuse to go to Harvard there is a certain snobbishness about it. IB better get me into these colleges, I don't want to do a lot of work for nothing. Especially since all my classes will be IB.

[backjruton]

College is too different here compared to the USA and I don't know if the "College" over there is "University" here or what but I go to an Art College that I didn't need to get any good grades for. (I got all Cs apart from Bs in Performing Arts and Fs in RE and History)
I am on a course where all you need are atleast 4 Es or something because it's meant for the people who didn't do too well in English and Maths in school (because for some reason you need Cs to be able to do one less year) and it's also easier. This costs around £200 a year for the course

No.
Good college doesn't necessarily prove how smart you are, nor does it guarantee a great career... what it does guarantee is debt (unless you're super lucky to get a great scholarship or your family is super rich).
I don't understand why people say this. In the USA do you have something between High school and College? Because College is in between our High School and University and University is optional like it sounds College is there. I'm really confused about what it is like overseas and I have been for a while because of the different words you use for some things

[Ethe14]

College is too different here compared to the USA and I don't know if the "College" over there is "University" here or what but I go to an Art College that I didn't need to get any good grades for. (I got all Cs apart from Bs in Performing Arts and Fs in RE and History)
I am on a course where all you need are atleast 4 Es or something because it's meant for the people who didn't do too well in English and Maths in school (because for some reason you need Cs to be able to do one less year) and it's also easier. This costs around £200 a year for the course


I don't understand why people say this. In the USA do you have something between High school and College? Because College is in between our High School and University and University is optional like it sounds College is there. I'm really confused about what it is like overseas and I have been for a while because of the different words you use for some things


There are two types, community college and full on university. Both are optional but if you want a job you have to go to either one. Community college is more for trades, while university is if you want to be an economists, doctor, lawyer, or a professional that's where you'd have to go. I want to get a degree in business and IT so that's why I want to go to a university. College is expensive but it's certainly not out of this world, my parents have my college fund already paid for. so it's off to high school for me and figure out where I get accepted into. Really hoping for Stanford though!

[Rain Boy]

University of Colorado Boulder, Stanford which by the way is not Ivy League, possibly Yale. But I refuse to go to Harvard there is a certain snobbishness about it. IB better get me into these colleges, I don't want to do a lot of work for nothing. Especially since all my classes will be IB.

Just FYI Stanford has a certain snobbishness as well, it's just west coast style.

[backjruton]

Ok. I'm only really in college as we have to be in education until we're 18 and this course I'm on is the only one I liked the sound of out of all 3 colleges in my area... if I ever had a job it would have to be something I start alone at home with my brother because we both have the same interests and I can never picture myself working for other people when it's so easy to get fired for doing some little things wrong and I hate obeying with other people and talking to people I don't know face to face or even on the online game I play a lot.

Thanks for making me understand this thing a little more XD

[Obsidian]

I just want to stay local for school. I haven't really decided if I want to live at home and commute or if I want to live on campus. But either way I'm going to stay in Michigan for school... I'm set on either Wayne State or Eastern Michigan. I could drive to both if I decided to live at home. And they both have good social work programs, which is what I am interested in. I wish that I had the money or the grades to go to a big fancy school, but I'm totally fine with the ones I've chosen. :)

[Gamma Male]

Getting into MIT or Caltech would be awesome. Of course, Oxford would also be nice.

[Caver]

I don't know of any universities here with bad reputations, I just want to be taken on by a university. I am guaranteed a place in college it's just gaining a place in university I want to have.

[sqishy]

Well I think TCD is a good college, I want to be in a good place!

[Sph2015]

I don't understand why people say this. In the USA do you have something between High school and College? Because College is in between our High School and University and University is optional like it sounds College is there. I'm really confused about what it is like overseas and I have been for a while because of the different words you use for some things

Just to try and make it a bit more clear.

We're legally required to be in school until 16. Then you can drop out. To earn your high school diploma (Which you need to do anything really) you'll be in school until about 18. Then you're on your own for continuing education.

College usually means university. Essentially anything that will get you a degree. There are also trade schools and career specific training schools. However, when you hear "college" we're referring to anything from community college for an Associates Degree to a Doctorate from Harvard.

Your art program would probably be classified as an Associates degree or a training course/certification.

---------------------------------

I agree 100% that ivy league just seems snobbish. I think all anyone cares about is the name, which is not what the choice should be about.

I care about
1. Do they have my major?
2. Are they well ranked in my area of study?
3. Will I fit in at the campus and with the people?
4. Is the campus nice? I want a pretty school! Haha

[Cognizant]

Hey, UCs aren't overpriced if you live in California! Mostly if you have a parent in the military and you live in California. Then you get free tuition!

I guess it depends on your background. I'm a student who's barely passing my beginning level classes, and I'm in a financial situation that if my grandparents were to stop giving us money, we'd have to move out of state. There's no chance in me getting to a UC even if I wanted to go. It's just reality. And in all honesty, I do believe that yes, "brand name" schools on your resume *could* help if you're going into the higher level workforce. Me? I definitely don't need to have gotten all A's in high school and pay 50k for higher level education for where I'm going in life. However, If you want to go to a UC and your family is lucky enough to have the finances and grades for it, go for it.

[enriqueroxx]

I just want to get in a good college where i'll be able to afford the tuition.....

[mww113]

I am quite proud of my college choice. I am at a "high performing" large, public institution and I couldn't be happier. It can be a bit overwhelming at a large university, but if you find your niche and join some student organizations you'll be fine. The nice thing about a large university is the diversity of opportunities that you get!

[KansasNavy]

I am a Junior. I have 99% made up my mind that University of Miami is where I'm going. I have gotten A's and B's all through HS and taken lots of AP and college prep courses. It doesn't hurt that my mom graduated from there :P

Hey I'm a Junior who wants to go to University of Miami too! Hoping to get a degree in meteorology while there.

[Danny Phantom]

I'm going to a really good public NY State college (There are over 20.). I got accepted to my 2 top choices. Tuition + dorms are $20,000 a year but I got into a program that allows me to go for free (shitty SAT scores + good average + low income.)

Doesn't matter what school you go to.. as long as you do well.

Many go to Ivy Leagues and transfer or harm themselves because they cannot cope with the stress and the standards put on them.

[Tarannosaurus]

Well I think TCD is a good college, I want to be in a good place!

I wanted to go there, but Dublin is expensive and TCD doesn't offer scholarships. I'll probably go to UCC (nice scholarships) or one if the ITs in Munster, since they're cheaper and closer. After all it's the same degree you get at the end wherever you do it.

[Luminous]

Though I haven't totally thought about what school in particular, but yes, I want to go to a good school, for performing arts in NYC. I'm not sure how 'good' exactly, because I don't want to be in debt for the rest of my life. My parents will help, I know, but my sister will (or would, I don't know if she's actually planning on going to college) go to college the next year, so I may go to a not-so-expensive school.

[sqishy]

I wanted to go there, but Dublin is expensive and TCD doesn't offer scholarships. I'll probably go to UCC (nice scholarships) or one if the ITs in Munster, since they're cheaper and closer. After all it's the same degree you get at the end wherever you do it.

Yes.

[HUSTLEMAN]

University of Colorado Boulder, Stanford which by the way is not Ivy League, possibly Yale. But I refuse to go to Harvard there is a certain snobbishness about it. IB better get me into these colleges, I don't want to do a lot of work for nothing. Especially since all my classes will be IB.

That's the truth!
To the OP I understand your situation as I'm in the 10th grade and on the hunt for colleges and my peers are asking those very same questions to me. Anyway, to me a good college for me would be in the mid-Atlantic region of the US, close to the DC area. As of now, I haven't found a match but I'm still looking.

[Capto]

I do want to go to college.

Yale is a reach school for me. I'd like to go to WUSTL, or perhaps aim for a UC once I get back to California [can't argue with our state schools]. :)

[Karkat]

Absolutely do NOT want to get into a prestigious college. Too much pressure, too much money. Not enough focus on my goals as much as it would be about grades and fraternities. No thank you.

Plus, I'm not an overachiever academically anymore. Even when I was I didn't really want it.

[DiamondsGirl]

I honestly didn't care, but all I know is it's my dream to go to college in the US. I randomly chose Iowa State University at first just because I have wonderful online friends who live there. But my parents get in the way demanding my reason for choosing ISU and when I couldn't come up with one, I was sent back to the drawing board. In the end I googled "education major ranking university usa" and found Michigan State University. And then I simply gathered documents, click "apply" and that's it. I am now an admitted student in the process of completing my after-admission steps.

[Capto]

Application in the US is ridiculous.

Education quality is variable but generally quite good.

Depends, where's your country of residence?