Is Attending a Top College Worth It?

So you followed your lifelong dream of studying at a foreign college by working really hard to build that perfect profile. And perhaps you got accepted at one of the top universities along with many of your target and safe colleges. 

Remember that success means finding the correct level of competition. In other words, think about which of the colleges that accepted you is truly the best match for you. 

You can look for an answer to this question by examining the data. For example, compare your GPA and other test scores with the average for your college. Being just a little below average may not be a big deal, but if your scores are a lot lower, you may be at a disadvantage compared to your future classmates. 

You should also consider the free time available to you when making your decision. If you plan to work part-time for 20 or more hours per week while in college, your study time will be limited. If you decide to attend a highly selective college, you need to spend at least three or four hours studying after classes every day. If you can take out only one or two hours of studying, it might have been okay at a less challenging college but not at the ivy league ones. 

Can you practically commit to that much studying every day? Remember, you will need time for things like socializing, club activities, and working. Then consider if you are determined in general, or if you become stressed easily when under pressure. It is good to believe that you can solve any problem by working even harder, but human endurance has a limit, and it is not worth spending your college life being miserable.  

Finally, you should be able to put a finger on exactly what the top college offers that your other college options do not. Maybe it is a perfect fit for you, or maybe the course you wish to attend is offered only there, or maybe there is a placement cell that has a record of great job placements after graduation. 

If that is the case, then it may be worth the sacrifice and stress. If your reach school is known only for its reputation and not for facilities and opportunities that can help you achieve your personal goals, then it may not be worth the effort. 

You need to have the courage required to make hard decisions. Declining an admission offer from a top university is difficult, and doing it even for the right reasons can be harder. Your objective should be to be reasonable and go with the best option that matches your needs. Once you can honestly answer this question, you should submit your college fee deposit and get ready for the best years of your life.

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