there are schools that have the stellar reputation, earned or unearned, for educating students and because of that rep get the highest qualified students to apply...so it is a bit self-perpetuating, the cream of the student crop apply because that school is "better".
even when it is not "better". it takes a loooong time to change that perception.
do students at harvard for instance get a "better" education than a student at rice?
no, it's up to the student, not up to the school.
as I was counseling a hs junior this weekend, there are many, many good schools to choose from. don't be hung up on the name I said, go with what fits you as a person/student. many of these schools most people have never heard of, but they will do just as well (maybe better?) in preparing the student as the ivy's would.
but, a word of caution....these "no name" schools are just about as expensive as the ivy's are. some are more expensive.
because these "no name" schools are building new labs/dorms/classrooms/student centers to keep up with all the other universities, and they want diversity in the student body so they are giving out scholarships to those who otherwise couldn't afford to go.
|