Big Fish, Little Pond or Little Fish, Big Pond?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone's DC made a choice with this is mind? As in, accepted to a great list of schools but ultimately chose to attend a place where the competition would not be as fierce in order to shine?

[Anonymous]

There is no college or university where it is only possible for one student to shine. If you've got it, you've got it, and the world is going to know it even if 50 people around you are also shining. Choose the school where you will become the best educated self you can be.

There is no need to be the sun that blots out all the other stars if you will be happier as part of an amazing constellation.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP. My kid goes to a very competitive high school and thinks that he want to go to a very competitive college. I think he'll be fine wherever he goes. But, I've seen discussions about pre med kids looking for high GPAs going to less competitive schools - and it got me thinking about this.

[Anonymous]

You're not wrong in thinking about it for pre-med. Kids do best though where they're happy. If he wants to be surrounded by a majority of academic stars, chances are good he wants the stimulation of being pushed. The rigorous schools also have very good placement into medical school with some give in the GPA. Keep in mind too that most kids change their majors and career aspirations multiple times in college as it should be. IMO choose where one is happy for the next 4 years and the rest will take care of itself. Besides would you rather have the intellectually fearless or easy route kid as your doctor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're not wrong in thinking about it for pre-med. Kids do best though where they're happy. If he wants to be surrounded by a majority of academic stars, chances are good he wants the stimulation of being pushed. The rigorous schools also have very good placement into medical school with some give in the GPA. Keep in mind too that most kids change their majors and career aspirations multiple times in college as it should be. IMO choose where one is happy for the next 4 years and the rest will take care of itself. Besides would you rather have the intellectually fearless or easy route kid as your doctor?

Yes, my gut tells me this kind of thinking isn't right for him (or me). Being happy always translates to better grades, better social interactions/more friends.

[Anonymous]

"easy route kid as your doctor"

Almost all of the time, the route to becoming a doctor is not easy. While you can pick a school where it is easier to graduate with a 4.0, that usually just means that you are behind those that worked harder in more competitive colleges when you get to med school. There are still lots of good reasons for choosing to start med school behind. For example, if you aren't sure you want to be a doctor or 14+ years of working as hard as you can is too daunting or paying for med school is going to be a huge issue.

[Anonymous]

DD briefly considered this. She ended up going more of the "little fish, big pond" route and is so happy with it. She loves being surrounded by this active, engaging, challenging environment. She definitely does thrive off of being challenged and collaborating/learning from others, so I knew she'd go this route. She's at a school that is academically challenging and collaborative, engaged with the community and campus, but not cutthroat or high stress. Btw - she is pre-med as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD briefly considered this. She ended up going more of the "little fish, big pond" route and is so happy with it. She loves being surrounded by this active, engaging, challenging environment. She definitely does thrive off of being challenged and collaborating/learning from others, so I knew she'd go this route. She's at a school that is academically challenging and collaborative, engaged with the community and campus, but not cutthroat or high stress. Btw - she is pre-med as well.

Thanks, this school sounds like a happy medium. I don’t think he wants to coast (just not his personality). But I feel like his college list consists of intense, competitive schools. He has thrived in this in the past, but I’d like to see some more balanced schools.

[Anonymous]

There is no easy way to get to med school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone's DC made a choice with this is mind? As in, accepted to a great list of schools but ultimately chose to attend a place where the competition would not be as fierce in order to shine?

DC went in the middle. A notch off the tippy top schools, but still competitive. There were other reasons, but this school hasbeen a great fit for him. He has found that he is still one of the bigger fish. So, that part hasn’t changed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD briefly considered this. She ended up going more of the "little fish, big pond" route and is so happy with it. She loves being surrounded by this active, engaging, challenging environment. She definitely does thrive off of being challenged and collaborating/learning from others, so I knew she'd go this route. She's at a school that is academically challenging and collaborative, engaged with the community and campus, but not cutthroat or high stress. Btw - she is pre-med as well.

Thanks, this school sounds like a happy medium. I don’t think he wants to coast (just not his personality). But I feel like his college list consists of intense, competitive schools. He has thrived in this in the past, but I’d like to see some more balanced schools.

IMO what matters is not so much that they are competitive but in what ways. There are very rigorous schools with intense kids that work within a cooperative atmosphere that is part of the school character. They're competitive because the kids strive to keep up with each other. Then there are schools where the student body is cut-throat competitive with each other. Motivation is to be leader of the pack. Some kids thrive in the strong vs. weak model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD briefly considered this. She ended up going more of the "little fish, big pond" route and is so happy with it. She loves being surrounded by this active, engaging, challenging environment. She definitely does thrive off of being challenged and collaborating/learning from others, so I knew she'd go this route. She's at a school that is academically challenging and collaborative, engaged with the community and campus, but not cutthroat or high stress. Btw - she is pre-med as well.

Hideous grammatical error. You either thrive on something or off something. Never do two prepositions go together side by side in a sentence. Never.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD briefly considered this. She ended up going more of the "little fish, big pond" route and is so happy with it. She loves being surrounded by this active, engaging, challenging environment. She definitely does thrive off of being challenged and collaborating/learning from others, so I knew she'd go this route. She's at a school that is academically challenging and collaborative, engaged with the community and campus, but not cutthroat or high stress. Btw - she is pre-med as well.

Hideous grammatical error. You either thrive on something or off something. Never do two prepositions go together side by side in a sentence. Never.

Bit dramatic, no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PP. My kid goes to a very competitive high school and thinks that he want to go to a very competitive college. I think he'll be fine wherever he goes. But, I've seen discussions about pre med kids looking for high GPAs going to less competitive schools - and it got me thinking about this.

Med schools factor all that in. They know that a 4.0 from a less competitive school is no better than a 3.7 from a more competitive school.

[Anonymous]

So much depends on your child's temperament. My son is thriving at a very competitive ivy, and enjoys being in the company of other high achievers. It brings out the best in him, even if he is not the best in the class. That being said, it is intense and I would not recommend it to everyone - YMMV.