Going to a elite and competitive college vs. a easier but still good one?

About the Ads
J

j814wong

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2012
Messages
147
Reaction score
2
Has anyone here ever been offered admissions into a elite and competitive college yet decided to go to an "easier" one where getting a high GPA would easier? What have your experiences been with this decision? Have you regretted it?

I'm applying to Cornell University and University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Both are great colleges but the SAT scores of admitted students are lower at UNC-CH then at Cornell. While both are great and well known schools, UNC is bound to be "easier" and perhaps even less competitive.

Going to a well known yet less competitive college might be a good idea for me but I want some feedback for those who've gone down this route.
Members don't see this ad.
 
j814wong said:
Has anyone here ever been offered admissions into a elite and competitive college yet decided to go to an "easier" one where getting a high GPA would easier? What have your experiences been with this decision? Have you regretted it?

I'm applying to Cornell University and University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Both are great colleges but the SAT scores of admitted students are lower at UNC-CH then at Cornell. While both are great and well known schools, UNC is bound to be "easier" and perhaps even less competitive.

Going to a well known yet less competitive college might be a good idea for me but I want some feedback for those who've gone down this route.
Click to expand...

Your logic is flawed, less competitive != easier. You can't just be around people without matriculating. When in Rome, etc etc.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Ask again when you're accepted?
 
You'll get very subjective answers to your question. I'd personally go with cheaper + better location
 
Financially speaking, unless the parents are footing the bill, going to an Ivy to follow a pre-med track is one of the dumbest things that smart people are capable of.
 
For God's sake don't base your college decision on where you might get a higher GPA. There's so much more to college than that. If you're miserable at one your GPA will probably suffer anyway.
 
Bluto385 said:
Financially speaking, unless the parents are footing the bill, going to an Ivy to follow a pre-med track is one of the dumbest things that smart people are capable of.
Click to expand...

Don't forget the amazing financial aid Ivy leagues have!

---

But really, don't go to Cornell. UNC is a very respected school.

I know this data is kind of old but it's probably worth looking at. It's in terms of law school though.

http://web.archive.org/web/20000829094953/http://www.pcmagic.net/abe/gradeadj.htm
 
Members don't see this ad :)
If you're in-state for UNC, save yourself six figures and go there. It's a public Ivy and you'll get virtually the same pre-med education as Cornell. It's also a hell of a lot more fun to be in a college town like Chapel Hill.
 
j814wong said:
Has anyone here ever been offered admissions into a elite and competitive college yet decided to go to an "easier" one where getting a high GPA would easier? What have your experiences been with this decision? Have you regretted it?

I'm applying to Cornell University and University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Both are great colleges but the SAT scores of admitted students are lower at UNC-CH then at Cornell. While both are great and well known schools, UNC is bound to be "easier" and perhaps even less competitive.

Going to a well known yet less competitive college might be a good idea for me but I want some feedback for those who've gone down this route.
Click to expand...
I am at a public institution and while I am not getting the full experience that a private school like Cornell has to offer, I have heard several horror stories from my friends who go there. Students there are extremely competitive--enough to give you wrong answers for hw/assignments etc (even if you are friends lol). If you can get finaid go to Cornell but if not, the stress and tuition cost is not worth it...
 
Yeah Ask when your accepted for 1

But for 2, you should look into other things than SAT scores because UNC CH is a +\- school and they have grade DEFLATION now, so go to either but neither one is really an easy school. Your going to get a lower grade than you earned at either one so who cares really. And this prestige business is overrated in real life it's about Funds and Family. So cost is utmost important and location is behind that.
 
Why do you say it's "easier?" There will still be plenty of smart, driven students, especially among those pursuing pre med and you'll still be taking the same pre requisite classes and the topics really aren't any different or more difficult or easier.



Are you applying to UNC CH as an out of state applicant? If so, then CH is about as difficult to get into as Cornell and is extremely selective for out of state applicants (CH reserves the majority of it's class for in state students).
 
The professors at UNC don't see things the way you do. In general, their classes will not be any easier than those at Cornell.
 
If you're good enough, you'll get a high GPA at Cornell. Stop trying to be a slacker.
 
Not to mention you'll have to take analytical chemistry at UNC.
 
I am not looking for an easy way out. Competitiveness is not a deciding factor for me but it does play a small role. By nature, I am not a ultra competitive person. It might be harder for me to compete those who are naturally competitive. My concern is whether or not the risk of facing more competition then I can handle is really worth it.

However, it seems people are thinking of me in an entirely wrong manner.

I'm not looking for an easy college. I'm looking for one where I have a good competitive chance even when I do work hard. In high school, I'm working hard but I still have no chance
of beating those very competitive and smart kids that rank all the way at the top. I'm ranked in the top 3% but most of those above me are very competitive.

I'm already applying to Cornell because the other aspects of it attract me. Student body is just ONE aspect of my considerations.


To sum up, the ultra competitive nature of an Ivy may just be too much for even me to handle well.
 
TheFool said:
Why do you say it's "easier?" There will still be plenty of smart, driven students, especially among those pursuing pre med and you'll still be taking the same pre requisite classes and the topics really aren't any different or more difficult or easier.



Are you applying to UNC CH as an out of state applicant? If so, then CH is about as difficult to get into as Cornell and is extremely selective for out of state applicants (CH reserves the majority of it's class for in state students).
Click to expand...

I never said there weren't smart kids attending UNC. Ivies tend to attract certain types of applicants more so then even a college as good as UNC. The certain types of students they attract result in a more concentrated competitive body of students then at UNC. Yes, smart kids will go to UNC and courses there will be hard like Cornell but the concentration of very competitive and intelligent students is bound to be lower somehow if even by a tiny bit. That difference could mean the difference between whether a school's environment is appropriate for me. Some people may love a lot of competition at every corner. I don't love that much competition because it makes me feel that if I make even a small mistake, many might try to climb over me. That uncomfort from that sort of environment could very well be more detrimental to me more than actual competition.
 
Bangersandmash said:
If you're good enough, you'll get a high GPA at Cornell. Stop trying to be a slacker.
Click to expand...

I didn't rank in the top 3% slacking. But I wasn't competitive enough to get ahead of those ranked above me. In fact, I not competitive by nature. Even if my results are very competitive, it could be mentally detrimental if the environment feels too competitive and pressured for me to mentally handle. I'm trying to explore such a notion by asking arround.
 
I am in undergrad right now and attend a good university in the midwest. Classes are really hard but you only compete against yourself and it is a really good environment where we all help each other succeed. I have done summer enrichment programs with students that attend schools from all over the U.S. I can tell you by experience that most of the students from famous ivy league schools will do anything in their power to see you fail. This includes backstabing, cheating , lying, giving you false information, sabotaging your computer and research projects, hacking into your computer and getting all your passwords, etc. If you think you can put up with roomates and classmates that act this way and not let it affect your subconsciousness, then you should be okay in a competitive environment. Otherwise, I would recommend the alternative.
Good luck.
 
Peter Benkman said:
I am in undergrad right now and attend a good university in the midwest. Classes are really hard but you only compete against yourself and it is a really good environment where we all help each other succeed. I have done summer enrichment programs with students that attend schools from all over the U.S. I can tell you by experience that most of the students from famous ivy league schools will do anything in their power to see you fail. This includes backstabing, cheating , lying, giving you false information, sabotaging your computer and research projects, hacking into your computer and getting all your passwords, etc. If you think you can put up with roomates and classmates that act this way and not let it affect your subconsciousness, then you should be okay in a competitive environment. Otherwise, I would recommend the alternative.
Good luck.
Click to expand...

Even though this may be a slight exaggeration, sadly it was pretty much true at the university I attended. When you have a bunch of high school valedictorians with 2200+ SATs and oftentimes a good amount of money already, they're generally used to being on top and will do anything to stay there. When you take a curved science class, get ready to watch the sparks fly.
 
j814wong said:
I never said there weren't smart kids attending UNC. Ivies tend to attract certain types of applicants more so then even a college as good as UNC. The certain types of students they attract result in a more concentrated competitive body of students then at UNC. Yes, smart kids will go to UNC and courses there will be hard like Cornell but the concentration of very competitive and intelligent students is bound to be lower somehow if even by a tiny bit. That difference could mean the difference between whether a school's environment is appropriate for me. Some people may love a lot of competition at every corner. I don't love that much competition because it makes me feel that if I make even a small mistake, many might try to climb over me. That uncomfort from that sort of environment could very well be more detrimental to me more than actual competition.
Click to expand...

I think your concern is valid. In your situation I would probably just go to the state school and save some money. The value of Ivy League undergrad comes in other fields (especially business), as well as in making connections and getting into meaningful research opportunities. If you are worried about grades/competitiveness, you will certainly get that. However, it may not be that overwhelming depending on your capabilities and/or ability to tune it out and just focus on learning the material.
 
Bluto385 said:
Financially speaking, unless the parents are footing the bill, going to an Ivy to follow a pre-med track is one of the dumbest things that smart people are capable of.
Click to expand...

Don't forget the phenomenal financial aid 😍

Stanford (not an ivy, but similar) ended up being cheaper for my family than a UC (as a CA resident).
 
One advantage of being at a highly competitive school is that more of your peers will go on to do more "high impact" stuff later in life. Your "social network" is one of your most valuable lifetime assets.

Anyone, from any school can end up doing almost anything later on, but you are more likely to get pulled along into a wider world of opportunities and experiences at an "elite" school. You will also have better access, in general, to higher impact research and community projects, that can catapult you along.

You can basically learn anything you want online if you are motivated. School provides peers who drive you to excellence and provides social contacts and context, so you learn what you should learn.

There are two potential downsides, the first is if the school is so competitive, unfriendly, or culturally unfamiliar that you do poorly or get depressed. The other is financial, if you are taking tons of loans, you can't be irresponsible about what you study, keep in mind trying to get a job later, and pick a major that has some reasonable chance of decent jobs associated with it.
 
In general, in what I and a few others have seen, state schools actually grade harder, and the "elite" schools have major grade inflation.
 
alamo4 said:
One advantage of being at a highly competitive school is that more of your peers will go on to do more "high impact" stuff later in life. Your "social network" is one of your most valuable lifetime assets.

Anyone, from any school can end up doing almost anything later on, but you are more likely to get pulled along into a wider world of opportunities and experiences at an "elite" school. You will also have better access, in general, to higher impact research and community projects, that can catapult you along.

You can basically learn anything you want online if you are motivated. School provides peers who drive you to excellence and provides social contacts and context, so you learn what you should learn.

There are two potential downsides, the first is if the school is so competitive, unfriendly, or culturally unfamiliar that you do poorly or get depressed. The other is financial, if you are taking tons of loans, you can't be irresponsible about what you study, keep in mind trying to get a job later, and pick a major that has some reasonable chance of decent jobs associated with it.
Click to expand...

Really, I'm most concern about the first downside you listed. I don't know if I can fit in and handle the environment well while still enjoying the college years. That alone could be a deal breaker for me and I want to investigate such a matter first. Otherwise, I feel very strongly about going to Cornell and other high ranking colleges that I'm applying to (I really like Cornell and Tufts).

I never thought about the aspect of a "high impact" social network though. Thanks for mentioning it.
 
cuculici1 said:
Even though this may be a slight exaggeration, sadly it was pretty much true at the university I attended. When you have a bunch of high school valedictorians with 2200+ SATs and oftentimes a good amount of money already, they're generally used to being on top and will do anything to stay there. When you take a curved science class, get ready to watch the sparks fly.
Click to expand...

That's the kind of concern I have. But some other people don't seem to understand this point of view and just call anyone voicing such a concern a slacker or someone who wants an easy way to medical school which is certainly not the case.
 
Peter Benkman said:
I am in undergrad right now and attend a good university in the midwest. Classes are really hard but you only compete against yourself and it is a really good environment where we all help each other succeed. I have done summer enrichment programs with students that attend schools from all over the U.S. I can tell you by experience that most of the students from famous ivy league schools will do anything in their power to see you fail. This includes backstabing, cheating , lying, giving you false information, sabotaging your computer and research projects, hacking into your computer and getting all your passwords, etc. If you think you can put up with roomates and classmates that act this way and not let it affect your subconsciousness, then you should be okay in a competitive environment. Otherwise, I would recommend the alternative.
Good luck.
Click to expand...

It's good to see that there are other people that share similar concerns. Remember those cheating scandals at various top education institutions (Stuy. HS in NY and Harvard)? Foul play may come with heavy pressure to meet high standards that are tied to the name of the institution.
 
Cornell has probably one of the lowest percentages among universities among matriculation rates to Medical School. Probably because of the uber-intense academics and the pitifully low grade inflation...

3.7 @ UNC > 3.3-3.4 from Cornell.

3.4 from Cornell with a double major in Chemical Engineering+Physics with perfect everything else and a 33+ on the MCAT smokes that 4.0 kid with an Political Science major from Scranton University and everything else.... :laugh:
 
Arijos0222 said:
Cornell has probably one of the lowest percentages among universities among matriculation rates to Medical School. Probably because of the uber-intense academics and the pitifully low grade inflation...

3.7 @ UNC > 3.3-3.4 from Cornell.

3.4 from Cornell with a double major in Chemical Engineering+Physics with perfect everything else and a 33+ on the MCAT smokes that 4.0 kid with an Political Science major from Scranton University and everything else.... :laugh:
Click to expand...

But UNC has grade deflation does it? 3.4 from Cornell with an Engineering major and physics would be quite insane I'm sure. That being the case, a 4.0 with a Political science major, 30+ MCAT, and good enough ECs would probably have a far better chance.
 
j814wong said:
But UNC has grade deflation does it? 3.4 from Cornell with an Engineering major and physics would be quite insane I'm sure. That being the case, a 4.0 with a Political science major, 30+ MCAT, and good enough ECs would probably have a far better chance.
Click to expand...

UNC has grade deflation on the Sciences. The humanities however, are a different story. It's really hard to get an A in a science class at UNC from what i've heard, since it's based on a strict curve.
 
j814wong said:
I am not looking for an easy way out. Competitiveness is not a deciding factor for me but it does play a small role. By nature, I am not a ultra competitive person. It might be harder for me to compete those who are naturally competitive. My concern is whether or not the risk of facing more competition then I can handle is really worth it.

However, it seems people are thinking of me in an entirely wrong manner.

I'm not looking for an easy college. I'm looking for one where I have a good competitive chance even when I do work hard. In high school, I'm working hard but I still have no chance
of beating those very competitive and smart kids that rank all the way at the top. I'm ranked in the top 3% but most of those above me are very competitive.

I'm already applying to Cornell because the other aspects of it attract me. Student body is just ONE aspect of my considerations.


To sum up, the ultra competitive nature of an Ivy may just be too much for even me to handle well.
Click to expand...

I am similar to you. I do better when i'm at the top of the class. It motivates me to work extra hard to do better (its weird i know). I know a lot of people who do better when there is competition, but less well if the environment is competitive.

I recommend UNC for you just because Cornell is very competitive, has a reputation for grade deflation and it might discourage you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

vcnt
still in high school but i want to go to med school after uni
Replies
9
Views
731
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
O
Tips for selecting a good pre-med school/Any recommendations on good options
Replies
2
Views
706
OverLordMiko
O
D
UCLA vs Columbia vs Cornell
Replies
1
Views
231
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
N
College choice
Replies
6
Views
949
Nordstream
N
L
Are Community College credits looked down upon for Med Schools and are they seen as easier and less competitive?
Replies
1
Views
2K
deleted1079620
D
Top