Maturing ideology

Good afternoon all,


My post this week has to do with education and how we east coasters occasionally view the "ideal" form of education based on what is prescribed as "the best" in the elitest New York/New Englang area. Growing up in Manhattan, it was instilled in me through the Manhattan private school environment that going to an ivy league school was the end all be all-the ultimate goal, the goal that seemed to impress private school parents and fellow classmates the most. However, when I attended USC in Southern California, I learned that attending an ivy league really does not matter that much at all. Going to college, any college, is what matters the most and doing it in the most cost-effective way is easiest on both parents and children. I had read of students all across the nation who were pursuing their own businesses, paying for college, and doing very well for themselves as undergraduates and as alumni. I learned that most people have to pay for college themselves-working full time and taking out student loans that take years to pay off, making it necessary for these college graduates to maintain full time employent in order to pay off loans and other expenses. Now that I'm am finishing my real estate salesperson's license here in New York and looking to attend graduate school within the next year, I am not looking for the top ranked school only, I am looking for a school with a combination of a strong program, good alumni connections and tuition benefit programs where I can ideally work full time for the University and have my tuition compensated 100%. This way, I can work full time, have graduate school paid for and when I'm not in class/working, I can network, start my own business and have that going before I even graduate! Cost efficiency and learning are now my priorities, not just getting into the "top" school. I feel fortunate that I did attend college across the country and within a different atmosphere because a lot of my friends from the east coast who attended college on the east coast still believe that they need to go to a top law school, or they're doomed. Are you serious? The reality is if you trust yourself and commit to your profession, if you're good at what you do, passionate about it, driven to succeed, you can. If you don't give up when things aren't going your way, you can succeed. People do it all the time. They go to community colleges, state schools, non-accredited 4 year schools such as message therapy school, etc, but they do attend school to master a particular profession. So put down the Ivy League only cheering flags, turn in a new direction and look at life from a mature, adult angle, as anyone should ideally as a 23 year old trying to make it in this crazy world. Until next time folks, tune in for another rant and rave from yours truly -The Know It All New Yorker-