Should you go in an Ivy League?

The decision is not easy. All our life, we were told we should work and sacrifice everything to get into the best ivy league or any other high-cost university. However, the cost makes you wonder if it’s worth it. If you were rich, the choice would be easy. Yet, this is not given to everyone.

Are Ivy Leagues Always Worth It?

Here’s some reflection that you should have:

Contents

• What are your goals?
• Which fields are you studying?
• What is the expected salaries in your field?
• Personal growth
• Alternatives

What do you want to do? What are your end goals?

You need to first think about your career goals.

If you want to live in a big city, work long hours, and have a big job, then you have more chances to get there with the best university you can get to. However, if you want to live in the countryside and have fewer work hours, then an ivy league won’t necessarily bring you where you want to go.

Some careers aren’t impacted by the school you go to. Think of nursing or elementary school teaching. That’s why you should think about what this school can bring to you and your future goals.

An ivy league is mainly a name that will make you stand out. You will also be able to expand your professional contacts. This is useful for jobs such as journalists, lawyers, or entrepreneurs.

A good example is a degree in literature. If you want to become a famous editor or a professor, go to an ivy league. But if you want to become a writer, maybe think about it. When you go there, make sure those schools bring you the contacts you need to publish a novel or the network you might need.

Is your Ivy League an expert in your specialization?

This can often be forgotten. Some schools are renowned for specific fields: Harvard in law or business and MIT in tech.

Make sure your university is known in the field you want to pursue. You could be surprised to see that a less-costly school is better in it than the school you are looking at right now.

This could also help you choose between two excellent schools. Remember that employers know which programs are the most contingent and difficult.

Is the amount of money you will make after is worth it?

This a more crude question but still very important!

Some fields will never make you rich or at least rich enough to pay back your debts. You can’t start a degree hoping this will change after you finish it. If you enter your first year and realize that what you want to do is not worth the money spent on the school, you might choose a degree you will regret. There is a limit to what an anthropology or literature degree can make you gain in salary. However, in a cheaper school, a degree is less of a sacrifice and you could be able to choose what you want as a degree. 

Some people say that no matter what degree you take in an ivy league, you will make money with it but this is simply not true. There is a maximum salary in some fields. You can choose a degree with fewer job prospects and a lower income that will make you happier.

What will it bring to you personally?

There is a mindset in those establishments. It’s very high-achieving, there is a lot of pressure, and you work long hours. And this is to prepare you for a job after university. Is that what you want? This could help you thrive. But it could also be bad for you.

You need to enjoy your school experience. There are so many ways to feel fulfilled in life. Think about what you want from your life: career, relationships, travels, spirituality, creativity, … 

What are the alternatives?

Are there scholarships? Could you go to university in a different country? Can you take a gap year?

Nowadays, you have so many possibilities. You can go study abroad. Some countries offer low tuition fees for foreigners. For instance, Germany, France, and Canada offer master’s degrees in English at a more reasonable cost than the ones in the US. 

You could also decide to take a gap year and think about what to do. This could be great for personal growth and it’s not bad for your career.

Keep looking outside the paved way. You don’t need to do like everyone else!

Going or not to an expensive university is ultimately your choice. This could jump-start your career and lead you to the top of your field. Yet, you need to think if all that money is worth it. We are often mesmerized by the prestige and glory of those institutions but you need to think about the sacrifice this represents.

One question that could help you make a decision is: What would you regret more between not going to this university or having to pay all those debts?