Do you think the people who get into the Ivies and top universities are bright or privileged?

Question

I currently attend a top 20 university and it really does shock me to hear about how poor I was in high school compared to the other kids. Most kids at my university went to high schools which cost about 30k per year and a lot of them are top notch private schools. I thought the kids would be extremely bright but it seems that many of them need tutoring help just like a lot of the other kids.

Now the high school I went to was in many ways, underprivileged. We didn't have programs where kids could go abroad to another country during the summer or take part in top internships over the summer. Most kids would raise their hands high and celebrate if they made it into a state university.

Well I talked to a student at my university and he said at his private school, SOME kids already knew they would be going to Harvard because their parents went there. Well I asked him more and he said that most of the students at his private school went to top 50 universities due to having the best environment.

At my current university we have public school kids but they come from public schools in the BEST districts. So I want your opinions, in most cases, are students who get into the top universities bright or privileged?

Answer 1

Privileged. No doubt. Some are bright, but most have the means.

Answer 2

As the philosopher Montaigne says, "even if you go to a university, you can still be a block head". Just because someone is book smart and rich does not mean that they are wise or knowledgable. Realize that some of these kids come from great enviornments and therefore they are percieved as great, while they could still be a tad dense and have no idea what anything is. It reminds me of the honors system in high schools. They reward the good test takers, even though most of them are blockheads.

Answer 3

i think of that persons who get in a appropriate 20 college are often privileged, what i advise via it somewhat is: wealthy, satisfied kinfolk or environment with no longer something to distract them from examining often. i dont think of those persons are extraordinarily incredible, i advise better than others who bypass to a 'non appropriate 20 UNI'. although there are -exeptions to each rule. we've heard of very adverse people going to harvard with a scholarship, or very incredible those with out preparation becomin able. ( drifted somewhat off the question right here, yet i'm hoping i grow to be effective)

Answer 4

Tough question. I think some Ivy leagers are naturally bright and some had parents with means to enhance their educational experience in high school. Cheers to those with the brains to earn it.