De-to-the- Bate

During this long week, in English class, we read debates about "If it matter's where you go to college" and "Will you have a better life if you graduate from an elite college or university" i.e. Harvard University.

This topic was very interesting and exciting because, of course, we go to ASTI, and all we think about is college. The majority of the students here came to this school to become a strong enough competitor during their high-school career, and to do as much as we can to accomplish this dream. 

I think the college you go to do matter based on what you want to do in life and if the college has the classes you feel will assist you towards your dream. But, attending a so-called "elite" college just provides you with a stellar reputation. For example, if I say I am a Harvard alumnus, people will automatically assume I am brilliant and very prestigious. On the other hand, if my friends say, I go to the College of Alameda, people would portray her as a negligent person compared to me. And this provides pressure towards high-school students. They want people to know that they will attend a prestigious high-school, and sometimes like the feeling to stay that their better than the other.

While reading the 7-way debate there were a few debaters whose claim were not supported effectively, which made it unconvincing or less persuasive. 

One of the debate's that were compelling and though-provoking was called: Number's Favor Top Schools, by Richard D. Kalenburg. His work gave the perception that it does not matter if you go to the a highly selective college because, statistics show that 

In fact, a student is more likely to graduate from a selective institution than a less selective one, controlling for initial ability.

Also, from the Anthony Carnevale and Jeff Strohl’s Century Foundation study found that 

Among students scoring between 1200 and 1300 on the SAT, 96 percent graduate from the most selective colleges, compared with 78 percent at the least selective. 

These statistics made me feel less stressful about attending "elite” colleges and not fretting much about it. This is why this argument was convincing and stimulating.

On the other hand, The Specialization Trade-Off, by James Shulam, was dull and unimpressive. This is because he talked about sports, and which sports and "elite" colleges would accept such person. Another reason why this was unappealing was because I do not play a sport and he does not signify that you have to be smart and diligent in school to attend such college. That is all.