Jacob Said:

Do you think high school students are under too much pressure to pick a "good" college?

We Answered:

I agree with you. I think where you go to college is much less important than what you actually do while you are there. For me, I was always planning to go on to graduate school, so my college choice REALLY didn't matter for my bachelor's. They just wanted to see I had high grades, high GREs and research experience--no one asked me why I chose the undergrad institution that I did. I went to a state university for undergraduate--and it didn't hold me back one bit. I think more people should focus on the price tag, the "fit" of the school (is it good for what you want), and the opportunities you will have rather than just school name. I could have applied to private schools for college, but I would have gotten very little aid for it. If I had gotten aid, it would have been in the form of loans. I didn't want to be stuck with a $30,000-$40,000-$50,000 a year tuition bill---that's insane! It's especially insane since it's not the end of the road for me. Stanford, Yale, etc. would have been nice, but I certainly didn't need it--and nor do most people. Now, if you are going for a job directly out of undergrad, a prestigious school might help. But you know what would help even more? Already being active in your field, having taken advantages of opportunities at your college--this is WAY more important than just where you went.

I think you need to look at what you want to do, and go to the school that is the best financial option with the best opportunities. It's not always the $40,000 a year private school.