Everyone knows of the Ivy Leagues. Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth, Princeton, and more. Why is it that, from a young age, society makes it seem like Ivy leagues are the superior colleges in all aspects? I grew up in a Yale oriented family. My father, aunts and grandparents were all closely associated with the prestigious school and, as a result, I felt a strong connection. To this day, I still do have that strong connection and my dream is to one day get a letter of acceptance from the school. But why is Yale so much better than other schools? Yes, the academics are generally superior and the name holds a lot of power with it but that doesn’t mean that other colleges aren’t just as good. The fact is, the idea that Ivy League colleges are superior to all other institutions is completely false. Kids all around the country are accepted into colleges of less prestige and go on to do brilliant things.

American culture portrays being accepted into Ivy League schools like being invited to Buckingham Palace. It suggests that, if we get in, we are the best, smartest and most accomplished of our generation. This image is confirmed by conversations about Ivy League schools emerging from Hollywood. Movies like Legally Blonde and television shows like Gossip Girl portray the main character or characters being accepted or applying to Ivy League schools, perpetuating the idea that the Ivy League is the best option.

How do we change the narrative and accept that Ivy League schools aren’t the best and only good colleges out there? While some might argue that there is no question that they are the best schools, I argue that they might be the best statistically but they are only the best if you want them to be the best. The best college for any given person is not only based upon its prestige or name but also on what the student wants to do and their opinions on college. Some kids prefer small schools, other large. Some prefer warm weather, some cold. We rank the Ivy Leagues as Ivy Leagues because they are academically prestigious but we ignore the thousands of other colleges that are able to produce bright scholars and provide just as good of an education.

All in all, I agree that Ivy League schools are wonderful and I would be proud to one day call one mine but we can’t discredit or disregard other schools out there that produce equally successful people and give their students just as good of an experience and education.