What's In A Name?

School is officially in session and while some students are excited to see friends, meet teachers, and use all their Staples splurges, for seniors September means it's time to write college applications. Many are dreading an upcoming fall filled with applications, pestering parents, and an increased workload. Faced with making what for many is the biggest decision of their lives, seniors struggle with the idea that where they go to college will define them for the rest of their lives, making the process of applying overwhelming and stressful.

The New York Times opinion columnist Frank Bruni visited Scarsdale this summer to discuss his new book, "Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania," in which he argues that the college name on a diploma does not determine student's fate. However, it seems pretty hard for seniors here to believe that. We asked three high school seniors and two Scarsdale parents whether they thought the college students go to will define them, and we got some interesting answers.

Senior 1: (MP)
"I don't want to let the college I go to define me, but it's really hard not to let it with all the stigmas and standards Scarsdale sets for college. My peers like to base their fellow student's success on what college they go to. While it makes sense because students work really hard in high school, there are a lot of exceptional schools that Scarsdale students don't know about so they assume they're not good. This misconception makes students applying to these schools feel uncomfortable from the judgmental undertones. However, everyone is going through the same application process so no one is being singled out and we all somehow bond through our stresses. I really want to make the most of my last year of high school with my peers, and I worry that I'm going to be so busy and overwhelmed with college stuff that I might miss out on the fun. However, I'm going to do my best and I'm hoping for a great year and an even greater second semester!"

Senior 2: (SF)
"I'm not worried for college applications, but I do think the college I will go to will define me. The definition isn't in the school name, it's in the person I'll become through my experiences and the people who will influence me over my four years. I think that college is what you make of it, and it doesn't matter about the name or status of the school. All that matters is that I can find stimulating, inspiring people to help me in my learning process. I also think it's important that I make connections for future opportunities, so I need to make sure I put myself out there and take advantage of what my college has to offer. I have found colleges I would feel comfortable at and would grow at that I don't need to fret about getting into. But Scarsdale's standards for college are crazy high. The average SAT scores for the country are around 500 for each section, and I hear kids at school freaking out about not hitting 730. Because of these standards and how well Scarsdale prepares us, I think we're all going to go to great schools and be successful. I try to remind myself of that and not worry too much about the name of the college I will attend."

Senior 3: (CS)
"I don't think the college I get into will define me, I think the definition comes from the person you are. College is what you make of it and can be good or bad regardless of a school's name. The connections I make in college are important for life, but the specific school I go to won't really give me an advantage; the person I am, and my ambition and goals are what will make the difference. I have goals set for myself and I know I will achieve them regardless of my college's name. If I work with good intentions and have integrity from what I've done in high school, I will know I tried my hardest to get in where I do. Regardless of where I go I'll be able to better myself and the world around me and I just remind myself of that."

Parent 1: (JM)
"I think the definition from college comes in waves. For a senior in high school, college defines kids the most because everyone is constantly talking about it and the students are highly competitive. Peers use colleges to judge one another, but the second they graduate the judgements go away since high school is over. Then, a new chapter starts in college and students are influenced by the culture at their schools. Through the way their peers behave, dress, and the school's atmosphere. Then, once out of college, adult's alma matters are a part of who they are but it's not the only defining factor. By then, students have matured into individuals with their own ideas and personalities."

Parent 2: (GH)
"In the short term the college a student attends does define them, but in the long term it does not. College is a big milestone and is the first time many students are living on their own, so they want to be part of a college family and ideology. However, success is not hinged on the college attended, but rather on how a student behaves and lives. The success is determined through whether or not they are hardworking, passionate, focused and observant. Often the smartest or talented people are not the ones who succeed. Success often comes at random moments and one needs to be ready to act fast. Just being a well rated school won't make up for a person's lack of work ethic and interest. Today's world is so stressed with material success and entitlement that people are just looking for any hook or short cut to give them an advantage over others. So, I think that when a student is in college it is a defining factor, but in the long term all that matters is the type of person they are."

As Frank Bruni explained in his book, the path to college is not an easy one; he argues that the person the student becomes is what matters, rather than the brand value of the institution they attend. Even though we all like to tell ourselves that the experience we have in college will be far more important than the status of the school, it's difficult to ignore the rankings in U.S. News and World Report and select a realistic of schools to target.

On the first day of my senior year, my teachers were already consoling us and assuring us that we would all get into great schools. It was only the first day and the teachers were already anticipating a stress-filled year! Though I squirm when friends or relatives ask me where I plan to apply, I know that everyone who applied last year is now off to college. So come this time next year, I guess I will be on my way too, and, as Mr. Bruni says, I will be successful based on my merits not on a college name or image.

Contributor Ellie Month is a senior at Scarsdale High School who writes for the school newspaper, rides horses and has lived in Scarsdale for her whole life.