[quote=FlyerInHi]Carli, I sorta agree with you and NSR.
You’re saying that competing for the top school may not be worth the tradeoffs. I can accept that.
But there are so many things in life that require tradeoffs. Like saving to live in the best neighborhoods, or driving expensive cars, or buying branded luxury products. Do those things define who you are?
If you can go to a top school, then why not? Because you can. I don’t see anything wrong with making that a priority. I have the inkling that some people don’t like the hyper competitiveness because they cannot or don’t want to participate. They are welcomed to sit it out.[/quote]FIH, just because your (CA HS student) kid elects to “sit out” the “hyper competitiveness” and just take the necessary A-G reqs to get admitted to CSU while in HS doesn’t mean they will not be successful in life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Personal attributes (and sometimes innate talent) are more important in a lot of “real world” occupations than name of institution on the job applicants college diploma and/or their college GPA (within reason).
I agree that applying to a top (private) university or college is a good idea for the qualified HS student IF they have a reliable and able benefactor for the long haul. Otherwise, it’s pure folly. Holding a large student loan is horrendous and can easily impair the former student’s financial life in adulthood for decades … even for a lifetime! Better to stay far away from them and apply to institutions which you know you can afford NOW and for the long haul. Yes, even if you have to work 20+ hours per week while attending university and attend classes during the summers in order to graduate on time.
