In my AP Language and Composition class, I recently watched a documentary called “Varsity Blues” about Rick Singer and the college admission scandal. Watching this made me question the “top” schools in the United States and whether they are really the best education in America.
Every year we see high school seniors wearing the College Decisions shirts and posting on social media where they are headed for the next four years to further their education. To achieve these goals, students stress over grades and join as many clubs as possible to look better for college admission officers. There are over 5,000 colleges in the US, and just because you aren’t accepted into Yale or Harvard doesn’t mean you won’t have a successful life.
I have always dreamed about attending Louisiana State University, but these kinds of institutions look at students with the best test scores, GPAs and extracurriculars. Having this pressure and expectation in the back of my mind has always stressed me out, causing me to turn assignments in late or not do the best on my exams. The idea that I must be the “best” to get into a good school is far from the truth.
Going to a non-Ivy League school does not show what type of student you are, there are so many different schools with different programs that will fit the needs of everyone. Some of the best programs are at smaller schools. For example, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), has a great undergraduate nursing program, ranked #13 (U.S. News) among all universities in the nation. With an acceptance rate of 79% and a graduation rate of 63%, this school isn’t considered “small” but it also isn’t considered the “best” school. While not considered a “prestigious”school, UIC has a renowned nursing program, one of the best in the country, in comparison to a more “notable” school such as Northeastern University which has an acceptance rate of 7%, but in the same program is ranked #54 (U.S. News).
This goes to show that just because a college is considered the top school where the smartest people go doesn’t mean it is the best for you. If you have a choice between a school that has the best program or a school that is considered “better” the best choice is to go with the school that is going to help you in the long run.
Reflecting on the documentary I watched in my AP class, I found it to be quite eye-opening. College is very expensive, and although you can get different scholarships to help with the financial aspect, the cost remains a high price, especially if you go out of state. Wealthier people are going to have better opportunities because they have the money to go to these expensive and higher-ranked institutions. If money is an issue it is better to go to a more affordable school that will cost less. Society needs to realize that smaller or less expensive schools do not determine the aspect of how well you will do in life or what kind of education you will get.
Not getting into the school you dreamed of can be hard, especially when people around you are bragging about where they will be attending in the fall. However, students need to realize there are so many schools that will provide them with different opportunities. Whether you choose a community college or an Ivy League school, the college that is going to help you get the education you are looking for will lead to a successful future.
