Why You SHOULDN'T Apply to an Ivy League School | What Nobody Will Tell You (2019)
TLDRGreg, a college admissions YouTuber and Princeton student, candidly shares his experience at an Ivy League school, warning against the misconception that attending such institutions guarantees success and happiness. He discusses the overwhelming workload, which fosters a competitive environment and negatively impacts students' mental health, while leaving little time for self-exploration or career planning. Despite the challenges, Greg acknowledges the value of his Ivy League education and encourages students to pursue their true goals, rather than succumbing to societal pressures.
Takeaways
- 🎓 Greg, a college admissions YouTuber, shares his personal experience and insights about Ivy League schools.
- 🕒 Despite having fewer classes than in high school, Greg finds himself overwhelmed by the workload at Princeton.
- 📚 The amount of homework assigned at Ivy League schools is substantial, averaging around 12 hours per assignment.
- 📈 Greg emphasizes that the fast-paced environment leaves little time for personal development.
- 🧩 The competitive atmosphere at elite schools can lead to a lack of mental health support and feelings of imposter syndrome.
- 😔 Data from 'Tiger Confessions' suggests that a significant number of Princeton students are unhappy or dealing with mental health issues.
- 💼 The demanding workload and lack of life planning can make Ivy League students prime candidates for high-stress careers without necessarily following their true passions.
- 🤝 Greg acknowledges the value of the connections and experiences he's gained at Princeton, indicating that it's not all negative.
- 🚀 Greg uses his YouTube channel for self-reflection and to help find his life purpose, suggesting that such outlets can be beneficial.
- 🛑 He warns viewers not to blindly pursue Ivy League schools based on others' expectations but to consider their own goals and well-being.
- 👍 Greg encourages subscribers to ask questions for a Q&A video and to engage with his content for more insights on college admissions and life.
Q & A
What is the main argument Greg presents against applying to Ivy League schools?
-Greg argues that while Ivy League schools are prestigious, the intense workload and fast-paced environment can lead to a lack of personal development time, mental health issues, and a competitive atmosphere that may not be conducive to overall happiness and well-being.
How does Greg describe the typical class schedule for an Ivy League student?
-Greg describes the class schedule as having significantly fewer hours than high school, with 3-4 classes a day, each lasting 50-80 minutes, and no classes on Fridays, totaling around 16 hours a week.
What extracurricular activities does Greg mention being involved in at Princeton?
-Greg mentions being the business manager for his a cappella group, which takes about 7 hours a week, and volunteering for Matriculate, a nonprofit offering college consulting services, which takes up to 2 hours a week.
How much time does Greg estimate he spends on homework assignments for his Introduction to Programming Systems class?
-Greg estimates that the homework for this class takes an average of 12 hours to complete, with it taking him around 15 hours for the most recent assignment.
What is the average time Greg spends on all his assignments and classes per week?
-Greg calculates that including his extracurricular activities and YouTube channel, he spends around 35 hours a week, but when adding in the time for assignments, the total work commitment is around 70 hours per week.
How does Greg describe the impact of the heavy workload on the mental health of Ivy League students?
-Greg suggests that the workload promotes a competitive environment where students often neglect their mental health, suffer from imposter syndrome, and may experience depression and anxiety.
What evidence does Greg provide to support his claim about the mental health of Ivy League students?
-Greg cites the 'Tiger Confessions' Facebook group, where he analyzed 71 posts and found that about 41% of them expressed dissatisfaction, sadness, depression, or other negative emotions related to their college experience.
What is Greg's view on the recruitment process for high-stress careers at Ivy League schools?
-Greg believes that the recruitment process preys on students who are overworked and unfulfilled, enticing them with high salaries and a sense of importance, which may lead to burnout and a loss of connection with their life purpose.
How does Greg feel about his own experience at Princeton despite the challenges he outlines?
-Despite the challenges, Greg expresses happiness with his decision to attend Princeton, citing the connections made, experiences with his a cappella group, and personal growth through classes and self-reflection.
What advice does Greg give to prospective college students regarding their college search?
-Greg advises students to separate their own goals from the expectations of others, and to consider the impact of an Ivy League education on their personal development and happiness, rather than just the prestige.
What is the purpose of Greg's YouTube channel, as mentioned in the script?
-Greg's YouTube channel focuses on college admissions, providing information about getting into college, SAT preparation, and college life, aiming to help students navigate the college application process.
Outlines
🎓 The Reality of Ivy League Admissions
Greg, a college admissions YouTuber and a freshman at Princeton, shares his insights on why students should reconsider applying to top schools like the Ivy League. He emphasizes the transparency of the intense workload and the fast-paced environment that leaves little time for personal development. Greg reveals that despite having fewer classes than in high school, the amount of homework and extracurricular commitments can be overwhelming, averaging around 70 hours of work per week. He also addresses the misconception that attending an Ivy League school guarantees happiness and success, urging viewers to think critically about their goals and the path to achieving them.
🤯 The Impact of Ivy League Workload on Mental Health
In this paragraph, Greg delves into the negative effects of the extreme workload on Ivy League students' mental health. He cites an analysis of confessions posted by Princeton students on a private Facebook group, revealing that a significant number of posts express dissatisfaction, feelings of depression, and stress. Greg argues that the competitive environment and the pressure to excel can lead to a lack of fulfillment and a disregard for mental well-being. Furthermore, he discusses how this situation is exploited by recruiters from prestigious firms who target overworked and ambitious students, potentially leading to burnout and a disconnect from their life's purpose. Greg concludes by expressing his happiness with his choice of attending Princeton, despite the challenges, and encourages viewers to reflect on their true goals and not just follow the path set by others.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Ivy League
💡College Admissions
💡Freshman Year
💡Workload
💡Homework
💡Mental Health
💡Imposter Syndrome
💡Career Push
💡Network Events
💡Burnout
💡Self-Reflection
Highlights
Greg, a college admissions YouTuber, shares his experience and reasons why one should reconsider applying to Ivy League schools.
He warns that the perception of an Ivy League education guaranteeing success is not accurate.
Greg reveals the reality of a lighter class schedule compared to high school, with only 3-4 classes per day.
Despite fewer classes, Greg explains the time-consuming nature of assignments and extracurricular activities.
He emphasizes the fast-paced environment of elite colleges and the lack of time for personal development.
Greg describes the heavy workload in Ivy League schools, averaging about 5 hours per day for assignments alone.
He shares a personal example of a programming class with assignments taking up to 15 hours to complete.
Greg discusses the negative impact of workload on mental health, with students suffering from stress and depression.
He cites 'Tiger Confessions' as evidence of the high prevalence of mental health issues among students.
Greg argues that the competitive environment fosters a lack of care for mental health and a sense of imposter syndrome.
He points out that the workload leaves little time for students to consider how to apply their degrees in the real world.
Greg criticizes how easily companies can push certain careers onto students without them having time to decide their true path.
He mentions Steve Papa's visit to Princeton, highlighting the burnout and lack of fulfillment in high-stress careers.
Greg stresses the importance of not letting the Ivy League label dictate one's life goals and aspirations.
Despite his criticisms, Greg expresses happiness with his choice to attend Princeton and the personal growth he experienced.
He concludes by encouraging viewers to consider their own goals and not just societal expectations when choosing a college.
Transcripts
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