Sometimes that friend starts uttering worried remarks about college applications, and whether or not he’s going to a top tier. His worries aren’t totally illegitimate; college *does* determine most of the setting of where you’ll be going for the next four years. Indeed, the quality of resources available to excel is approximately proportional the college’s prestige. It’s also true that future job employers may at first favor applicants with Ivy league bachelor’s degrees than those with degrees from a random community college from who-knows-where.
However, it’s important to see the bigger picture. Your four-year college degree or your achievements (if any, which is already impressive to most people) don’t solely determine your chances for a certain job. Although the things on your resume may give an initial impression, employers care more about what you are able to do. They hire people based on how likely they are to succeed in the future, and that is done by inspecting skill. What are you able to bring to the table for our company? How can you make the world a better place with the skills you have? Your college only paints a picture of your past self; it is not completely indicative of future success or failure in the present or future. Skills are paramount; accolades are great. A two-time IMO gold medalist won’t mean anything if, after hiring you, the company finds out that you aren’t actually capable of the job you applied for. They’ll just fire you in disappointment.
The four years someone spends in college is a small timeframe that serves as an important stepping stone in their career. The professors, classmates and campus resources will depend on where you go. Furthermore, there is a significant plethora of high-quality opportunities for future research exploration at top tier schools compared to only a few “good ones” in most state colleges. But again, it’s crucial to remember that the college brand isn’t the full story. There are students that choose to work hard, excel, and take advantage of every single opportunity they’re able to gain their hands on, whether in or out of school. Even if their state college is considered mediocre by many, they eventually shine through and gain knowledge, experience and wisdom that is definitely comparable to many of their Ivy league counterparts.
So is MIT the ultimate shining gem and Rutgers a “sh^t school”?
I’m still a high school junior right now, but I know that academics at schools like MIT are absolutely *brutal*. In my opinion, sacrificing mental health at the expense of academics will absolutely ruin your life on the long-term. Some people drop out as a result of the harsh environment, and I get it. And woah, Rutgers is sh^t? I wouldn’t say that.
There’s a bunch of really smart people at state universities. Every year, top colleges admit that a majority of their applicants are academically well-suited. But because college is also a business, they’ll have to weed out most of them. This leaves out a big number of talented, brilliant smart people who are only accepted to their local community or state universities.
Therefore, don’t take college names at face value. If you do, you’ll think “oh if I don’t get into this particular college, I’m screwed!” But I believe that you aren’t.
Just because you got into Rutgers doesn’t mean you suck. it’s just a school, and the reason why you couldn’t get into your school of chance is because the admissions officer spilled their coffee on their laptop. According to my other friend who got into MIT, “college applications is a game”. If he realizes that, so should you. Don’t judge yourself by where you are going. Instead, make the most out of your experiences.
If you don’t get into your dream school and don’t end up going where you wanted to go, are you going to keep your head up? It’s ultimately your decision.
If you are lucky enough to get into any college: be grateful and look around you. If you’re able to make it this far, you have skills. Make the most out of them to make the world a better place.