Student Outlook -- Gracie Kazer

For as long as people have communicated with one another, peer

pressure and the desire to fit in has been an issue. Whether it be about

what kind of clothes to wear, what kind of car to drive or what kind of

music to listen to, feeling accepted into the crowd has continued to be a

top priority for people of all ages. Conformity often goes hand in hand

with materialism, but there are also other aspects of life that are often

put up against public scrutiny, such as choosing a college.

Since high school has notoriously become known for the intense

competition to be popular, one would think students might choose a

college that might appeal to them on an individual basis and give them

the opportunities to mature in different ways. However, it seems more and

more students have begun to base their college searches on well-known

names rather than on a school that might include personal attributes.

Here in Southern California, where the Trojan has become an inevitable

symbol of college life, remaining an individual is as hard as anywhere

else. The glamorous yet superficial Hollywood stereotype has trickled

down to bits of reality, which enforces the ideals of beauty and

prestige. With such attractive concepts overhead, it isn’t really

surprising that so many people hope to fit the mold. While USC and other

schools at its level of popularity are undoubtedly wonderful

institutions, many of the prospective students who apply do so because of

its reputation for success rather than any specific, genuine interests

that the school may offer. There are definitely students who honestly

have interest in these schools and really do enjoy them, but the number

of applicants who are motivated purely by gossip is astounding.

College is a chance for people to open themselves up to new

opportunities and experiences, which is why choosing a school for a name

is not only ironic, but somewhat of a waste. This is not to say that Ivy

League universities fail to live up to their reputations. It should just

be emphasized that simply because it is rated No. 1 in the country does

not mean that it would suit every applicant. Everyone hopes to be

successful, and while colleges with bigger names may initially be

recognized first, the truth is that by making the most out of wherever

you go, you can be successful. By seriously researching a school,

students not only discover more about what they want to accomplish, but

they have the chance to maintain their individuality. In time, it will be

found that the school can only do so much, whereas the student has a

limitless number of possibilities.

* GRACIE R. KAZER is a Corona del Mar High School senior whose columns

will appear occasionally in the Community Forum section.