Do not make the same mistake I did

[golonghorns]

I went to a low ranked school because they offered me full funding over a tier one/top ten university.

BIGGEST MISTAKE EVER.

I am surrounded by the biggest incompetents in the world. I am not trying to sound condescending. All I am saying is that surround yourself with people who challenge you. Do not settle. I did, and I am regretting it majorly. I feel like I am learning nothing.

Because I am so upset about this...I am going to reapply to get another degree and only go if I get accepted into a top tier university.

AHHHHHHHHHH

[prolixity]

Playing Devil's Advocate:

If you think you're better than the institution, you won't learn anything the institution has to offer. Even the "lowest ranked" schools have awesome faculty with great insights. Don't let your peers drag you down, rather, focus on what your own instruction.

I went to a low ranked school because they offered me full funding over a tier one/top ten university.

BIGGEST MISTAKE EVER.

I am surrounded by the biggest incompetents in the world. I am not trying to sound condescending. All I am saying is that surround yourself with people who challenge you. Do not settle. I did, and I am regretting it majorly. I feel like I am learning nothing.

Because I am so upset about this...I am going to reapply to get another degree and only go if I get accepted into a top tier university.

AHHHHHHHHHH

[coyabean]

I debated responding to this post. It seems mostly to be a venting exercise, but the fact that it is phrased as a word of warning to other applicants encouraged me to weigh-in.

First, I can relate. I despise my UG institution. In fact, I just had a one hour conversation with a friend about how much we both despise the place. It is unorganized, top-heavy, devoid of intellectual vigor or independent research. Even among its peers it is considered a quagmire of low expectations, bureaucracy and years of institutional neglect and outright criminal behavior from administrators.

Having said that, I think you have conflated two issues that are not necessarily causal. Low-tier does not equate to an intellectually lax. There are schools -- and more importantly in grad education, there are departments -- that are ranked low or not ranked at all that are doing phenomenal work. They have invested faculty, resources and environments well-suited to certain types of learners. It would be short-sighted and reactionary to lump all schools below the T14 into the "incompetent" pile.

I would encourage applicants to do their research before making such a huge decision. Call, email and read everything you can about the school and the program. Understand that good programs exist at not-so-great schools; adjust accordingly. Visit if you have to hawk your New Edition/Micheal Jackson/Bon Jovi vintage memorabilia for a Greyhound ticket and strap your kids to the luggage rack. You cannot replace the sensory perception gained during an in-person visit. Finally, money is not the end all at this level. $30k, in the grand scheme of things, when you are talking about this level of commitment should not unduly sway your decision.

Finally, if you do none of the above or you do it all and still end up unhappy somewhere go talk to a counselor, find a faculty ally, someone who can give you a less emotional perspective. And whatever you do try not to advise others earlier in their process until you have some distance and more control of your emotions.

Edited May 11, 2010 by coyabean

[golonghorns]

It may appear that I am venting or being overly emotional at this moment in time. I am not. This is not a fleeting feeling. The only reason I wrote about it today was because today was the last straw. I knew I made a mistake ever since orientation. I honestly wish someone would have warned me about this during my application cycle. It would have prevented me from settling.

All I'm saying (and maybe I didn't say it properly before) is: follow your heart to the school you love even if it costs money...at least you will be happy and engaged.