why are rich people obsessed with getting into elite colleges?

[@FloEbem]

When I started at NYU I was so shocked that my peers had MULTIPLE high school friends going to ivies... meanwhile i felt like a miracle kid for leaving Texas

[@pizzadogma]

Yoo i go to NYU too

[@FloEbem]

Leo Maker nice!

[@islamae29]

In no way am I trying to be demeaning or trying to offend anyone, but I feel like that all depends on what your friend group is like and who you choose to associate with. I'm also from Texas and all my close friends are going to elite colleges (majority ivies like Harvard, UPenn, Yale, Columbia to name a few) and by no means are any of them rich. Wanted to give you a different take on the topic :)

[@FloEbem]

junguwu honestly that’s a good point. For my area those schools were never really considered to be attainable financially and academically (despite my friends being super accomplished). Most people in my area just end up going to UT so me going to NYU was definitely out of the norm. But my brother just got into Columbia and I know other kids who are more open to trying for those schools now so it can be done, it was just never something previously seen as an option!

[@joannasjoy6996]

congratulations btw!!!

[@adaezeezeani9334]

honestly, i feel like rich kids just go to these top universities so they could have their name associated with them

[@satyratosin]

Wait are you Nigerian 😭

[@satyratosin]

And also yes. This is very true

[@adaezeezeani9334]

@@satyratosin yes I am Nigerian 🇳🇬 igbo in fact ! it looks like you are too!

[@satyratosin]

@@adaezeezeani9334 yeah! I'm guessing you're not based in Nigeria though?

[@adaezeezeani9334]

@@satyratosin nope, was born there but live in the us since I was 3

[@jettwashed]

donating money to colleges is SO weird to me

[@mooominpapa]

I think they should donate to the students directly imo tuition is expensive as fuck.

[@luiysia]

i know right and meanwhile they charge students money to park on their own damn campus

[@naruto_uzumaki2012]

Taylor stephens They only have money because the majority of students pay using student loans (which gives the school instant cash to add luxury amenities for no reason, hence raising the price.) Schools that don't receive enough donations from their graduates (many HBCUs) have fewer, less generous scholarships to offer prospective students and end up failing in the long run.

[@friedrice4015]

Alums are led to believe that money goes into academics, sports, research, etc. If you have a strong attachment to your college and believe in it as an institution, it makes sense to give them donations so they can keep becoming even better. The problem is that most of that money goes into things like buying stocks and real estate.

[@lunalove9395]

the only time i could understand donating is if you knew exactly where the money was going...like if you set up a scholarship or something (like stormzy did for black oxford students).

[@lovebug5673]

I recently got into Stanford University and found this video really interesting. I am a low income/ first gen/transfer student and transferred from a community college. The transfer acceptance rate was 2%, so yes getting in is extremely hard, and when you hear the stories of other students you will probably feel inadequate. However, regardless of that feeling apply!!!

[@amandamaryanna]

That’s amazing! Congrats !

[@icon6200]

my mom did something similar (she was raised by a single mother, first gen, had to pay all on her own) and she said that even though it was hell at first going to college was so worth it and she would be a completely different person had she not just because of how much opportunity she got from it. I am extremely privileged because of it! I hope you have a great time there!

[@dayoolorunnisola162]

Congratulations!

[@beautyandfashion1563]

CONGRATS

[@astridm9705]

Congrats!

[@luiysia]

queen of research and intelligence... this is a stellar video essay

[@amandamaryanna]

Aww thank youuu ❤️

[@kikicorleone3525]

No joke, this is one of the best things that came out of my video recommendations in a while. As a European uni student I'd say that I am generally aware of the vastly different difficulties American students face but this right here sums up the issue so well. I am glad that the algorithm spit this out at me.

[@liemn23]

Agreed! Such a humble queen 👑

[@atomsplitter601]

Slay

[@chidianyanwu8731]

@@amandamaryanna where are you from ?

[@tiffanyferg]

this video absolutely slaps. I wanted to quote like a dozen lines but instead I'll just say YUP!!!

[@inthe_a.m.]

omg tiffany the video essay queen!

[@amandamaryanna]

thanks Tiffany!!

[@vlirixiavee5824]

i found you again tiffany

[@gilnahnu]

hey, queen 🥺🥺🥺

[@AC-mp7cx]

nah its just liberal complaining about rich people and good schools

[@araealis4178]

i went to trinity for high school on scholarship and lemme tell you, most of gossip girl is accurate to the point of absurdity lol

[@amandamaryanna]

Omg lol👀

[@a.j.4644]

We are here for any and all tea you wish to spill.

[@adventurous1019]

Spill the tea 🍵

[@chrissyosozzy6465]

🍵🍵🍵

[@cowmooves4057]

👀

[@oscarrhoades3412]

The middle class is also totally obsessed with this too they just suck at actually getting in.

[@angelc6017]

I think everyone is obsessed with it because it is an immense opportunity to make new connections and move up in the world

[@lilian8803]

Angel C doesn‘t it also save a lot of money for those who are from low income families? So another reason especially students from low income families would want to be accepted?

[@jelkafabianova2801]

but there si a difference. High class do it to keep their status, middle class do it to get better status. Middle class do what was a meaning of education in the first place (to get a better life through more knowledge). And honestly? The middle class is really slowly becoming non-existent due to capitalism so I understand why it is obsessed with it.

[@oscarrhoades3412]

@Alexandria Brown sorry for the plain language

[@aena5995]

@@angelc6017 dude yes! My own grandparents went to america and my dad too , its weird how i can sorta relate to gilmore girls in tht way lol except i aint no rory 😂😂😢

[@MaiDay01]

The idea of a legacy entrance is just weird, like 'Ah yes granddaddy was uber rich and I actually dont strive to achieve and yet here ny gold star for privilege and blood lineage so I can continue to hoard my wealth'. Like who let that happen.

[@lindseytallent2855]

Seriously. I hate it.

[@GirlDo3]

Frr and then they are going to turn around and say poor people are lazy

[@princessjello]

That's the real affirmative action right there

[@richardberman6694]

No problem. Get rid of legacy admissions and cultivating donors to these schools, I’m all for it, but then also get rid of affirmative action and generous financial aid because it’s the donor class that is subsidizing all the students who get amazing financial aid at these elite schools.

[@icemaster523]

@@richardberman6694 while donors generally fund financial aid, removing legacy doesn't necessarily remove that aid anyway. St John's College, Cambridge has generous aid for low income students (studentship) from donors with no legacy or anything. Sure there's still the tuition fees to pay but student loans in the UK aren't that bad.

[@christianevalerietia3756]

the fact that not only did she include her sources but used the APA format makes me stan her even more. we love an educated queen

[@Stingray112]

When that girl said she didn’t really liked school and just wanted the college experience and parties... that really broke me. I know so many people who love learning and would kill to go to a school that’s really good for their subject area, I’m not even talking Ivy League/Oxbridge. It’s so much wasted potential for these rich kids to go to these institutions, being taught by literal masters at the subject, just to be guaranteed a job regardless of how they perform. They are just treating it as a vacation between adolescence and adulthood instead of education.

[@avrila4588]

exactly.

[@Gabster1990]

Idk why people go into university just to party. The people I know who always partied never went to college or they dropped out early.

[@bmona7550]

@@Gabster1990 Yeah party colleges exist for such people. Just make sure you don't go to one and if you do just focus on your major and that's it.

[@Gabster1990]

@@bmona7550 It makes since if a college is in nowheresville. Otherwise you are better off somewhere else.

[@1mol831]

@@bmona7550 fortunately some people do work hard. I don’t work hard nor party, I just sit and pass exams at 75% and sleep all day. Very troll.

[@KellyStamps]

This title made me click so fast

[@amandamaryanna]

omg thank u!!

[@princessyarkor730]

Omg 😱 l love both of your videos!!!!!

[@dvlcet]

We stan 2 iconic queens ❤

[@TheJazmineRose]

KELLY STAMPS

[@SOPHIA-wh6uq]

Omg!!

[@zcalhoun3638]

The thing my mom always said(went to Harvard in the 90s, full ride) is that the difference between Ivy League and other colleges isn’t the education, it’s the other people around you. Loved the video!

[@tionnebowen]

My dad said this too. All about the connections you make at top schools

[@DancingDevil89]

How sad.

[@testxxxx123]

@omonil Biff MIT isn't Ivy though. Make no mistake it is still the top of top universities among this planet, but it is probably more academic focused than others...? Like it is tailored to actually book smart people. Ivies on the other hands feel like prestigious old money. They are not solely for academic performance but more like resourcefulness

[@bmona7550]

Yeah but are they true friends?

[@user-uv4tv9po9j]

Malcolm Gladwell actually debunked this. He said that if you network then you can make connections at any decent academic institution that will help you. The only selling point of elite institutions is the brand because people are obsessed with name in this country.

[@meghnakrishnan8942]

I remember when the whole Olivia Jade thing happened I was so confused on why someone like her who was already had a career as a KZbinr and was also super famous and wealthy would even want to go to college in the first place. Also btw love your channel and you are so inspiring to me!

[@amandamaryanna]

Thanks! And lol I used to watch her vids too that was my exact thought

[@lunalove9395]

i don't think she wanted to go, but her parents wanted her to...which is weird cos idt they have degrees either. i'm pretty sure her dad used his 'college' money to start his label.

[@dtsotm]

luna love yeah her dad actually went to usc and then dropped out lmao

[@ellexo0988]

She only wanted to go to college to party not to obtain an actual education 😂

[@genxx2724]

@@lunalove9395 It’s just bragging rights for the parents. They want to keep up with the Joneses at the club.

[@augustvirgo26]

It sucks that college isn’t even about academics anymore or ever was. I’m attending community college this year although I did get accepted into a couple universities, I’m glad I’m doing this financially and it’ll be more easier for me. I’m hoping to get a scholarship this year so I can graduate debt free because it’s not fair that education has a price tag.

[@brishlyalcantar4675]

I agree especially in America they have the nerve to share 50k a YEAR 🤮

[@brishlyalcantar4675]

Charge*

[@Dreww-w6t]

Yeah I dropped out of UCF to continue living with my parents and get a nursing degree. I'm already 7000 in debt, but the nursing program is only 8000 which wont be much to pay off in the end

[@augustvirgo26]

Drew wow crazy because I’m transferring there once I get my A.A. Wish you the best on your journey to get your nursing degree!

[@skilz8098]

@@brishlyalcantar4675 A year or per semester?

[@froggy6595]

Am I the only one who had no idea who olivia jade was before the scandal

[@Kirasfox]

Nah

[@liawatson5789]

Me, too.

[@Kamotea_kyutie]

Same here too actually

[@cubevision3431]

Rich kids always have access to premium education and yet still turn out dumb

[@saranguyen2788]

Ikr. They just bank off social status and generational wealth to carry them the rest of the way

[@memesbabes6899]

!!!

[@starr2870]

@@saranguyen2788 it gets me so mad tbh i know so many students especially low income that deserves it way much more, i feel like personally its just a way to bring a social status for them and good old nepotism for them to gain it.

[@somethingunusual8456]

It's like they say, no money can buy you self awareness

[@Sonicsis]

Yeah I can only imagine how great a tutor I can get that can handle my adhd with that money.

[@daisy-fu9lc]

The same happens in the U.K. - many parents quietly donate to Oxford/Cambridge colleges in order for their children to get in. It's not about education: it's about marriage and friendship with the 'right' people, and bragging rights.

[@PennyWenny224]

Yep, the thing with mainly oxbridge and prestigious London unis is that most of the people who can afford it are the uk elite or international elite. So it makes it so much harder for everyone else to get in, let alone afford housing etc in London

[@nae7988]

Exactly!! It doesn't matter where you are in the world; the elite colleges will always gatekeep

[@KorisnickoIme84]

The older you get you realize everything is about money and connections even though your parents don't want you to give up and tell you things like: '' Hard work pays pays off'' and shit.

[@ilyuser]

wow, learning more about the us is like reading a dystopian novel wtf

[@jelkafabianova2801]

ikr, how is it a real country. when i hear about their healthcare system i just internally scream

[@liabstrait8306]

I was searching for that comment.

[@beepboopily6285]

I feel the same way too but when you think about it our own countries aren't that great either. It just happens to be that a lot of news we consume is American (it's inescapable, really. Seriously, even on TV so much attention was paid to US elections yet other countries hardly get the same coverage) so you see the dark and bad sides of America more clearly and much more often.

[@veruskatorres9276]

Some clueless ppl talk about it like it's a paradise to live lmfao it has it's own problems

[@nae7988]

@@beepboopily6285 Exactly!! There is no place in this world that is good and perfect. Every country is incredibly flawed and has a really dark history.

[@georgiabunch9342]

“all the parents involved probably had all the resources their child could ever need to get into one these universities legitimately. they didn’t seem to be invested in the quality of their children’s higher education but the brand associated with these schools” EXACTLY!!

[@ventsislavamoneva1975]

As a European, it is so weird to me that being an athlete makes you somehow more suited for higher education. Like, how?

[@charlenea6180]

these schools are really competitive, and they like to have "bragging rights". the ivy league is made up of the best schools in the US, and they have inter-school competitions n stuff like that, so they want people with whom they can brag with/win stuff with, and also, they pick athletes that are D1, like the type of athletes that are definitely going to be one of the greats, which also helps raise the school's prestige and what not

[@asdfghjkl3003]

@Martha Speaks College sports is very big in the USA. Most universities bring in millions of dollars from their athletes. Colleges here care more about their athletes than those of us who are more academically inclined.

[@allydr90]

Hey man if you are of the best athletes in the country, go right ahead. I don't see the problem.

[@varshitharamakumar9431]

A normal student: has stellar grades, awesome extracurriculars and a near perfect essay. Harvard: I'm sorry we can't accept you. A rich kid: *Daddy donated money/ has a building in their name* Harvard: *WeLcOmE To HaRvArD*

[@JuriAmari]

Oh man. This always makes me raise eyebrows every time I come to class. The moment Varsity Blues was revealed, I laughed so hard I almost cried because it’s a such a poorly-kept secret. It happens even in high schools. Why was it such a shock to people? The education industry never was a meritocracy. Mom and Dad meanwhile are calling me, saying “at least you got in legitimately!” Thanks parents for telling me to work hard. ❤️

[@josephbrennan370]

extracurriculars are such bs anyway

[@ichangedmyusernamebecausei2551]

Yeah that’s so unfair for us students who are actually trying hard. These rich kids are most likely gonna end up successful wether they do good in college or not.

[@gheller2261]

It's all about ego and measuring worth as a parent. People do think "my kid got into a better college than yours, that means I was a better parent and my kid is better than yours."

[@LisaFevral]

a way to justify why they get to run their parents companies later

[@satyratosin]

Dude... So many movies with this typa storyline

[@LisaFevral]

Precious Olukaiyeja yeah, it’s ridiculous

[@erikabautista7072]

@@satyratosin and it's usually romanticized too, as if we should aspire to be like that and shit

[@satyratosin]

@@erikabautista7072 so true

[@elleofhearts8471]

@@erikabautista7072 bootstrapping 🤫

[@riankagill]

me watching this after aunt becky got a pathetic TWO MONTHS whilst innocent Black people are serving life sentences for nothing 👁👄👁

[@tionnebowen]

People still deny systemic racism. Sad

[@rahbeeuh]

Plus she gets to *checks notes* choose the jail she's going to

[@Toywins]

I just saw a man getting out of a life sentence for literally stealing hedge trimmers...

[@riankagill]

@@Toywins wow i can’t even imagine what it would be like to see that, let alone be in his position. my heart hurts 🥺

[@jamesgary1598]

But the race doesn't matter

[@sukhim5486]

Colleges are businesses. They need the rich to fund themselves.

[@elleofhearts8471]

but they dont need the rich. have you SEEN how much student loan debt the country is in?

[@sukhim5486]

@@elleofhearts8471 yes i know and experience it lol but that unfortunately is not enough to satisfy them which is why going to a community college imo is better than an ivy league it saves money. I know a girl who went to a prestigious University and majored in Greek she's has student debt with a low paying job while my friends in community college have little to no debt. They are all scams.

[@reignsmith4141]

Something that isn’t talked about is black parents doing these same things. As a low income black student I was shocked seeing black rich peers who didn’t score as high as other low income students get into elite schools through back doors. I remember two of the riches students from my class who scored the lowest on exams going to an ivy schools because their parents were best friends with the head of a leadership scholarship pathway program for underserved students, taking spots for students who actually needed this pathway. I think institutions like these that want diversity often times cater towards wealthier elite minorities than low income first generation students sadly.

[@athenavdj4123]

These things are done by white/black/Asian etc. By everyone who’s rich

[@treesap8911]

Money talks as they say

[@j.baldwinwasagenius...7575]

Were they Black Americans?

[@zacharystone8817]

this is why affirmative action should be based on income rather than race. thank you for sharing this

[@faithlesshound5621]

You must be talking about Black Americans, but a lot of the Ivy League institutions keep their Black quota up by admitting Africans, so they can get away with contributing little to the education of African-Americans.

[@friedrice4015]

The reason colleges care so much about athletics is that they see a spike in alumni donations whenever they have a good season or rival game.

[@faithlesshound5621]

Yes, sport matters enough to colleges that coaches need to admit real athletes as well as the fakes.

[@dandadamo4299]

Thank you for making this. I'm from an upper middle class family, and while I'm super grateful that I'll be able to go to a fantastic college, it's a lot of pressure. And it's strange, because I might be able to learn more (and more relevant information to my career) at a less prestigious art school than at USC, but we all know where my parents would prefer I go. More importantly, everything you said here needed to be said.

[@amandamaryanna]

Thanks for sharing your experience! And also yeah I definitely get what you’re saying there’s a lot toxicity surrounding college prestige in upper middle class areas. It’s definitely like a weird gray area bc in the strata you still have a lot to gain from going to an elite college but I feel like economically it’s not as life changing as say for a low income student. Best of luck !

[@dandadamo4299]

@@amandamaryanna thanks for the reply! I found your channel a few days ago and I really love the videos you make. I can really relate to everything you say and your general vibe. So thanks for the awesome videos and keep it up!

[@dumpsterfire3214]

as a middle class high schooler, i just wanna say that i’m mainly applying to prestigious schools or schools that are called universities. it’s an ego thing, it makes me feel better about myself.

[@winry1890]

yeah, me too

[@liron5889]

lmfao i went to trinity for high school (the class size doubles in 9th grade, making it a little easier to get accepted, and I was on financial aid lol) the "survivors" (read: the kids who start trin in kindergarten and are mostly very moneyed) really took part in this crazy culture. I heard the term "dinner party schools," that is, schools your unspeakably wealthy parents would be proud to boast about at a dinner party (the more prestigious ivies, mit, stanford i think?) and I also know a kid who was in remedial math who got into Harvard because his family owns a wing of the school (they were in the new york times for inheritance scandals. that kind of money.) the lower income kids who came to trinity from nonprofits that prepared them for and paid for their education had really wonderful opportunities due to their time there, but needless to say there was a class and racial divide in the student body :/// anyway now i go to a college that has a 60% acceptance rate because I wanted to. people were confused, to say the least. thank you for making this essay, nice to hear my bizarreo and very messed up high school shouted out lol

[@liron5889]

also re: colleges selecting for racial diversity over socioeconomic diversity, noteworthy that a lot of the more elite institutions collect a huge amount of revenue from their international student body, who are not covered by financial aid at most colleges. my school is rare in that it offers financial aid to international students and it allows for, to some degree, a more diverse student body than other schools (we still have a TON of problems make no mistake) but also a lot of the snobby rich people turn their nose up at my college lol so the rich kids tend to be from weird artsy families

[@amandamaryanna]

Liron omg that’s wild thank u for sharing your experience super interesting!

[@CeruleanAnthracite]

@@liron5889 this is super interesting. mind sharing which school that is?

[@Jorge-lh6px]

@omonil Biff Trinity school in Manhattan

[@BB8425]

This is what happens when you talk these TV shows based on colleges too seriously. The glamerized-college life becomes an asthetic. It's kinda sad if you think about it, especially when hard working people out there trying hard.

[@LangBellsChannel]

L.O.L. At 10 I wanted to go to Yale so I could wear tweed jackets like the rich kids in the movies.

[@CrazyFai]

True

[@starr2870]

bye i remember wishing so badly how i wanted to be in a private school because of gossip girl and how much i wanted to be rich ugh

[@elizabethle3460]

Its really weird that in America you can get into higher education by playing sports.

[@roxycempron5781]

Actually, that might be a universal thing. That also happens in my country in the other side of the world. Though, that might be a carry over from when we were an American colony. Still, it should be lessened nowadays.

[@icon6200]

the whole sports thing really confuses me... most colleges lose money from sports (in fact Stanford just cut a ton because of how much money they were losing), and even if they don’t lose money it’s rare that they make substantial money (only really football does). When you really think about it... why are getting information needed for a career and your ability in a sport linked? If you’re going to a top college you probably don’t want to go pro... so what’s the point?? Now that I think about it more college sports are moneysuckers with little impact on non-athlete students...

[@friedrice4015]

Because success in sports boosts alum donations. A good football season can mean millions in donations.

[@jordayehuntley611]

Bailey Wong yes this! especially if you get consistent boosters, sell the team gear and can charge a lot of money per ticket

[@icon6200]

Bailey Wong true... its’s just sad how for profit schools in the USA are

[@friedrice4015]

@@icon6200 They aren't for profit, and you should distinguish because for profit schools do exist and they are even worse. These schools are all not for profit. The vast amount of that money is used for investment, and admins are over paid, but they are not for profit schools.

[@moniqueroman7704]

A large part of the admissions process that is overlooked is that these universities are creating a graduating class to satisfy certain quotas. The admissions officers are looking for people who will be future leaders of industry, winners of the either the Nobel Prize or Fields Medal, politicians, etc. Since these kids did not demonstrate excellence in these academically specialized skill set, their option is to be recruited as student athletes. If fact, once you graduate from these top tier universities, you can request your admissions application and see what the admissions officers thought you would be successful in. This is why it is wrong to have the mindset you should be the straight A, all AP, valedictorian turned student body president. You can be a low A, even B student, but if you are a successful painter who is winning large scale competitions; you can still be admitted.

[@lisalonely20]

The admission program in the US was always crazy to me. In Germany you only need to give your GPA and the required GPA for each subject at a university is determined by how many people apply. So if there are 400 spots available for a subject and 800 people apply, you get in if your GPA is within the best 400 of all applicants. Also there aren't really "ivy league" universities. Some universities might have a better reputation for a certain subject but you're not going to be favored in for example hiring if you went to that university. So most people either stay in their hometown for uni or go to a city they always wanted to live.

[@lindseytallent2855]

That sounds nice 😅

[@victoriaumukoro116]

That's a lie! If u go to aachen for example for engineering you are going to be much more favoured than someone who went to a random uni

[@Jennifer-uh8th]

Isso

[@sharpayevans4356]

Because the US is the most aspirational country in the world, because the US is the country that attracts more international students in the world, and because the population of the US is beyond bigger than Germany’s one. Not only to mention that 7 of the 10 best universities in the world are American. US colleges and graduate schools need to be more selective for that reason. Not surprisingly at all.

[@taryndancer29]

So true about Germany. I live in NRW, and there’s so many universities around. It is normal to attend the one in your hometown.

[@0206-b8z]

I remember my psych 101 teacher telling the class that the SAT starts in kindergarten for wealthy people

[@stanfatou2002]

Fr I'm over here like. 👁👄👁 *I'm poor* Like I'm just going to go to normal educating university. I am in community college right now so I'm saving me money.

[@beautyandfashion1563]

same sid

[@IshtarNike]

Hot take before I've watched the video. Getting into an elite school is the equivalent of being able to drive for a normal person. It's not strictly necessary but you'll always sort of be the odd one out or considered a bit weak/lesser. Even if these people never drive or are always crashing, they consider your total lack of even having experienced it to be kind of sad. Normal people probably wouldn't make a big deal and it would be a source of chummy jokes, but you might decide to learn anyway to make them stop. Same with college for rich kids, it's just a thing they do to keep up with the Joneses even if they don't need it because public transport (mummy and daddies money) is great and always gets them where they need to go.

[@xmamam2x]

Never heard a Metaphor that fits this well!

[@sophisticatedPJs]

in the US the public transportation system is hot garbage and you're basically screwed if you live in a small town like I do without a driver's license haha, but I get the metaphor you were trying to go for

[@Alex-mm7tb]

This is the reason I don't blame the kids going cause they're basically forced to by everyone they know

[@lucyclark851]

the comment about rich ppl having the resources to get in anyways is what always irked me !! they have all the money for top tier private tutors, sports coaches, teachers in the arts, etc., and tbh they could just pay off the instructors to give a glowing recommendation letter, but they worked around it in the grossest, most exploitative way that probably screwed over so many people who have fought tooth and nail their whole life just to be turned away for the olivia jades of the world. i'm glad someone else has been bothered by that!

[@fingerinmynose4826]

460500

[@ninoninoninanina]

We have kind of the same "trend" here in France, with very very selective entry exams to get to "elite schools" that cost more and more money - especially business schools. Going to one of these schools is seen as.. Well, a legacy to some (do the same as their parents) and for others it's a way to climb the "social ladders" by creating a network. It is actually sad to witness how social success and high paying jobs are related to graduating from these schools, even when all you did there was partying. In France, it defines who you are years after you graduate. A lot of people i know actually based their whole personality on the school they went to, which is kind of sad. Loved your video as always!

[@elenamra51]

Ninon Hey, just out of curiosity, is École Polytechnique considered to be one of those elite schools?

[@ninoninoninanina]

@@elenamra51 it is! But this one is actually an exception where you get paid to attend. It's very (very!) hard to enter, purely engineering, but once enrolled you're considered as a federal employee so you receive a salary paid by the government. Then once out, you should work for the governement at least some years to "pay back". This, however, doesn't happen often. A lot of people just graduate and go to the private sector. Hope that answered to you question :)

[@kisskill9438]

Après le système éducatif français est quand même accessible en dehors des grandes écoles, c'est ça qui est bien, surtout que de plus en plus d'universités ont des partenariats avec des universités étrangères plus renommées comme Cambridge ou Waseda. Je me suis toujours demandée si ceux qui allaient en école de commerce le faisaient par réelle passion, par reproduction du schéma social ou par appât du gain de manière générale 😅 parce que personnellement je n'y vois rien d'attirant, mais ça c'est peut être juste mon point de vue. Après il faut aussi admettre que le nom d'une école renommée et bien classée, ça valorisera toujours un CV. En soi même si quelqu'un a un aussi bon niveau, voire un meilleur parcours en venant d'ailleurs, la réputation de l'école pourra faire pencher la balance de son côté. Les étudiants ont même tout intérêt à valoriser leur école, au moins pour jouir de ce privilège, même si dans les faits, tout est une question de capacités et d'expérience. En tout cas, ça les placera toujours sur un piédestal.

[@elenamra51]

Ninon Okay, thank you so much 😊. I got accepted into their international bachelor program. I know that it's a very prestigious school, but I'm really glad and relieved it's not a buy your way in type of school.

[@Naikomi603]

As German, aren't your universities also state run like the ones here?

[@aethericpages]

*ok but amanda has been blessing us with all of this new content and i’m not complaining!!* i’m so glad i found her channel, she’s such an inspiration for my own videos!

[@archerypeacegirl]

YES AMANDA!!! ITS GIVING PATRIOT ACT/LESSONS FROM THE SCREENPLAY AND IM LOVING ITTTT!!! SO WELL RESEARCHED AND INFORMATIVE 10/10 VIDEO

[@amandamaryanna]

omg best compliment I love Hasan

[@elahalilovic1954]

The u.s college and school system is insane 🤨 in austria, entrance exams are held only if there are too many applicants and university is free.

[@continuingtocreate1488]

What is wrong with the United States college system?? I don’t understand why we have to pay 50k+ to have access to a quality higher education!

[@Anita-md9ze]

Tax wealth. Use this to fund more public goods. Stop tax evasion by the rich.

[@malomitreba]

Similar thing in Croatia, is this only an European thing lol?

[@kavitharao2828]

as a low-income student at NYU, I’ve wondered about this so much 😮some of the richest students in my classes have absolutely no reason so be there... what do you think of institutions admitting more “diverse” student bodies but just compensating for the new lower-income students with wealthy international students? thank you for including all your sources, and I can’t wait to see some of your other work!!

[@ozioma]

me going to nyu just so i can pick the rich ppl i'm gonna eat during the revolution 😌

[@CALLMEKAFOI]

genuinely laughed out loud at this, thank you

[@somethingforyou345]

as a foreigner, this is just so wild to me... not to make it an other-ish thing, i bet this happens in my country too, but thinking back on how america was the favourite country of the world when i was a child. its just wow

[@localabsurdist6661]

Same. I live in a country in Europe where University is free and this on going elitism in the American school system seems so weird to me.

[@somethingforyou345]

@@localabsurdist6661 may i ask in which country you live in? i live in germany and university is not free but affordable (~300€) and if u cant afford it you can apply for financial aid for students

[@wastedad7123]

You know what, I didn't ask but I will receive. I really didn't even think of this aspect that rich kids would be fine without Yale so why DO their parents try so hard... I knew that there were benefits to going because I'm lower class and the access that you receive as a kid in the lower class is much more available than a state school, but the upper and middle class kids would kinda receive little to negligent benefits. This was such a great video and the research you did was really thought out.

[@deniselin7144]

it's so ridiculous that harvard has such a big endowment, yet can't slash tuition for online learning. even more disgusting that they actually took 9 million dollars of stimulus money. i really love how well researched the video was. everyone always holds up college as the symbol of meritocracy, yet olivia jade can pose for photos and take away a spot for someone else who spent 4+ years rowing. also, the more affluent you are the more opportunities you get bc of time and money.

[@selenaliu9676]

Them taking that huge stimulus check was obviously cash-grabby, but in Harvard's defense (and it pains me to say this), they have good enough financial aid for low-income students that lowering the tuition doesn't really affect them. It still isn't good for the middle class, but it's better than you might assume. Also, a lot of smaller universities are struggling for money right now and can't afford to lower their tuition, so Harvard is setting an example in a way so they don't feel pressured to do so. Obviously, Harvard still does a lot of Questionable things, but it's more complicated than that.

[@Andrea-ur2lg]

This video was super interesting. And I just wanted to say that I really appreciate how well researched this video is. I don't think these institutions will ever consider letting larger numbers of lower income students attend. At this point they just seem to prioritize making money. And the main thing that brings them money is the wealthy children/families. But I did think that the idea that you mentioned towards the end was interesting about making this sort of education more accessible or taking the Amazon/Apple business model--- but applying it to these institutions.

[@lightsoff9008]

cause they know they can just pay their way in without meeting all of the qualifications

[@Loungemermaid]

Me and my dad literally ate just potatoes and ground meat and rice for a whole year so i could swim, and I still wasn’t that good because I wasn’t in club swimming.

[@Numantino312]

who cares about "club swimming"? when your car plunges into a canal, or when some asshole pushes you off a boat dock, you are going to survive (yes i know why you care about "club swimming" tho) ultimately it's what you do with what you have

[@KhadijaMbowe]

I think this just goes to show that people are more attracted to aesthetics than actual substance. Living in a country ruled by capitalism, you just end up liking the idea of the thing over liking the thing itself. Did that make sense? It made sense in my head lol (Also, this is the first video of yours that I'm watching and I'm definitely subscribing! I love talking about stuff like this too so it's cool to hear your thoughts and research!)

[@Jordan-xg4pn]

this makes a lot of sense because in countries where college is fully based on merits and available to everyone it doesn't manifest itself in the same way it has done in the U.S. Here I feel like people study to actually learn, no one who doesn't want to learn won't go through 3 years of pure studying

[@SB-dz3bt]

I’m currently rewatching gossip girl and all these exactly thoughts were running through my mind. Nate literally has his future planned yet he has to go to Dartmouth for the sake of “following in his dad’s foot steps”

[@3213-d4o]

I know right, imagine being given the finish line but still needing help to cross it. They had all these resources and tutors to literally help them throughout every aspect of their lives, and on the other hand, you have a girl struggling between her job, extracurriculars, and taking care of her younger siblings.

[@dezzi9955]

I was born in the US, but my entire family including my siblings were born and raised in Haiti. I have always wondered this and many other about the American culture. This one always seems to not be discussed. Thank you so much.

[@TheJazmineRose]

Ayeee! My family is from Haiti too but I was born here ‼️🎉 college student what grade are u?

[@dezzi9955]

Jay.jazmine Rose Hey fellow Haitian!! 🇭🇹 That’s so cool! I’m in my 1st year of college ☺️

[@Jocelyn12700]

I think the whole “legacy admissions” concept reflects not only an issue of class privilege, but racial privilege as well. in order to be part of a legacy, you have to have a family history of attending a prestigious school, and those schools have historically discriminated against people of color. so it’s much more likely for a white student to be a legacy than a BIPOC student. my sorority (theta) recently eliminated all legacy considerations in its “rush” process nationwide, and while it may have been a publicity move, I do think it’s a step in the right direction. I wish more universities as whole would recognize the unearned privilege of legacy students and remove the legacy aspect from consideration.

[@dani-888]

!!!!!!!

[@wojlife3190]

This was so interesting and well-researched!!! You also have such a pleasant voice!

[@iwishihadseenthatlol]

I'm in the UK, the place with the highest concentration of prestigious private schools in the world, and this was incredible and so relevant here too. I'm coming up to graduation, and it's even that people around me are getting jobs based directly on the prestige of the private school they went to- while some of their friends, who didn't go to university, can get the same jobs.

[@TORLBC]

As an American, I only recently learned that 99% of other countries' universities are public (and, in many cases, totally free). The big story here: our "best" schools are private, and some of our most expensive schools are private. Everyone wants to be Yale or Harvard, so everyone starts slapping Yale or Harvard prices on their degrees. It's a joke and the rich need to be eaten, big time.

[@Naikomi603]

And as someone who has taught at ivy League schools, you don't even get better quality education then for example in Germany

[@TheBlackCinephile]

I've been loving these video analysis/video essays that you've been doing recently :) When this scandal was going on, I saw a lot of posts on twitter saying that Lori and other parents involved basically got a slap on the wrist, and hardly received any form of punishment in form of a prison sentence. But, there was a black mom who wanted her son to go to a better school district, so she put down the address of a relative who lived in the better school district area, and ended up getting caught and sentenced to several years in prison. It's definitely very strange for parents to have literally every and all resources at their disposal to do things the right way when it comes to their child's academics, but still want to take shortcuts and cheat their way through the system.

[@Biggdoom344]

Resources can’t change DNA. The fact these people left a paper trail a mile long and talked on the phone tells me they are not the brightest bulbs. So their children are lacking as well. Besides many of the wealthy cheated their way to get wealthy..so cheating is what they do.

[@ayandamokwana]

I actually have been obsessed with this subject. As I have also been obsessed with Korea's rich kids and how they're all getting admitted into Ivy league universities.

[@kanelle7821]

I honestly feel like these “elite” rich families, see Ivy Leagues and prestigious private schools as a way to justify their financial privileges. As if their kids having this credential would make it more acceptable for them to be living in such extreme wealth, because « oh but they went to an Ivy League school so clearly they deserve all this lavish lifestyle »

[@lhoov08]

This was so well-researched and interesting! Different than your usual content but loved it just the same and the Gossip Girl reference with Chuck Bass was actually such a great touch hahah

[@meoewcat4241]

Yassssss we love a small creator being creative and having a huge sub growth in a short amount of timeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@claudiagarciaa]

As someone who isn’t American this is so strange to me. In my country you must sit 7 exams each a different subject and a teacher who is not from your school or area corrects your paper. It’s completely anonymous. Your admission to university is solely based on your exam results, there is no university interview and they have no Idea what you look like, extra curricular activities and sporting achievements do not dictate if you’ll get in or not. The most prestigious university in my country’s fees are also the same as every other university in the country. It’s relatively cheap and the government gives out grants.

[@TVJohnMurphy]

This was such a chill video even though it’s a serious topic. I guess it was the background music + her tone

[@minasbaguette889]

You forgot the most important factors which is connections. Ivy leagues and top schools have the top companies recruiting their students, that's how many of them secure comfortable jobs. It's not only a better education for lower economic students, but also the connections they get.

[@CarolinaSilva-rd3ys]

The thing is that for elite families there is power in exclusivity. That is why the richest people in the world don’t buy an overpriced mass-produced handbag. They get their hands on unique art pieces instead. Getting their kids into an elite school is the same thing. It is another “collector’s item” they can brag about

[@Digmer]

Imagine getting the best private schools, access to tutors, car and money for books and therapy, and STILL needing to bribe your way into college.

[@Roricsseal]

Don't let wealth halt your curiosity of the world; the one thing wealth won't bring is a true and beautiful experience of the world that has adversity.

[@satanlucifer4437]

I’m really happy you brought up the lack of representation/diversity when it comes to wealth at these elite universities. I’ve always thought of myself as middle class, but after my first year at Brown, the amount of students I’ve come across who live in $3 million dollar homes, or spend spring break at their parents’ private island, has shifted my perspective. It’s also strange how their influence rubs off on others; I feel like I’ve become at least 5x more snobby after coming back to live with my family for the summer. In any case, thanks for the wonderful and insightful video!

[@brunagarcia9550]

So I just found your videos and I know for a fact that your channel is going to grow. The video made realize how great is the portuguese college admission is, we only send our grades and the grades of our final exams, no essays, no legacies, and the max we pay per year is 1000$, they literally don't know who we are when they are accepting us into college! And it made me question my will to go study in an American college because they sell that stuff to us in movies!!! Love from Portugal and keep on being awesome!

[@inthe_a.m.]

as an asian who wants to study internationally it will forever be a struggle to get into colleges despite how good you are

[@PennyWenny224]

Unless you’re rich

[@Naikomi603]

Just learn German

[@FloEbem]

Hey queen. Girl you have done it again. Constantly raising the bar and doing it flawlessly ✨

[@amandamaryanna]

I try hehehehe

[@danielleml]

speaking of elite - literally your channel, can we talk about it?? I just-

[@oliviaplayer8039]

19:50 that’s happening in the U.K. with universities and it’s actually huge problem. Too many over qualified people go into an oversaturated job market with massive debt and can’t get a job in their field so end up with careers they could have had with getting a degree at all. All they get is the debt.

[@alix4935]

i was really into hypercompetitive college applications and the online community surrounding it and almost went down that path myself. something to add about this: for your average hypercompetitive applicant (3.9+ gpa, 1550+ sat, insane extracuricculars), you can't have a "dream school" anymore. admissions rates are so low at these hypercompetitive institutions that most of the rejected students are 100% qualified and probably would have excelled at the school. once you hit a certain threshold (generally the aforementioned 3.9+), you are qualified and there is nothing else you can do to improve your application- and at that point, which students are chosen from that group of qualified applicants is pretty much random. kids in these hypercompetitive spheres these days can't have a dream school like in gossip girl because they're so competitive. most kids in these spheres have 1-3 favorites that they apply to early decision/early action, and then they apply to 10-15 of the rest of the T30s (top 30s- generally according to us news) and then end up choosing between one or two that accept them. that's the reality of hypercompetitive admissions for lower and middle class students these days- literally nothing is guaranteed.

[@yorak6793]

to be fair, being an athlete in college is a lot of work and basically an unpaid full time job. can’t really refute the wealth thing tho

[@jilliand3713]

I went to an UES private school (like gossip girl lmao) and everyone was obsessed with getting into a prestigious college. No one in my grade went to schools with an acceptance rate higher than 50% even the less smart ones

[@thelostpumpkin4146]

This was really interesting and really well made; I'm very lucky that my parents didn't put pressure on me for a specific university- or university at all, if I wanted to learn a trade instead. I can't imagine being 17 and bending your whole life towards getting into Cambridge or Yale

[@VainHarmony]

I almost got into Harvard as a undergrad (got an interview and told that was a feat) but never finished my application due to not having money to send my SAT II subject scores. I ended up getting kicked out of a top LAC due to undiagnosed mental illnesses (ADHD lmao) ruining my life. I had hardly any support and was mistreated by many of my professors. After I left, I was told I was a failure, and all I could do was retail. I was 18 then, and I'm 23 now. I believed it for so long. Even now, my former college won't give me access to my records or account with them. I don't have the energy to fight like this for what I deserve: basic respect. As a FGLI student, they really treat us like trash. I still want to get back into one of those top schools one day and make something of myself. The struggles go far beyond just getting in. Right now I don't know what to do to even obtain my records when they know they have all the power to write me off. I'm not a wealthy graduate or current student. They don't have to cooperate. I feel like I have no rights. Sorry for writing all this. This was a great video and struck a nerve with me because I went through so much hell to get where I was only to have it all erased like it was nothing. And no one in my life cares. I want to end it all the time.

[@continuingtocreate1488]

I’m sorry what happened to you is so unfair. You still have your life ahead of you though and you’re clearly capable of great things so go out and enjoy the rest of your life :)

[@saladassreal4040]

Getting an interview has nothing to do with ur chances

[@faithlesshound5621]

@@saladassreal4040 That's obviously untrue if you can't get in without an interview.

[@saladassreal4040]

@@faithlesshound5621 obviously untrue because numerous people get in without an interview

[@Blahgirl283]

I’m so sorry this happened to you.

[@SuperEbony5]

I go to a school that was the top 10 in the nation for socioeconomic mobility. I've never been more proud to go to that school. To me, that says so much more about the quality of my education than just a name. It shows that the quality of education they're giving you is good enough to overcome the class barriers we have in the US.

[@blackeyedolive]

I am poor, went to a rich people college (Pomona College) and I feel like this video puts into clear and concise language a lot of things which I felt during my time there but didn't have the time or brain to clearly think about and get straight in my head. I would also add that, even though I thought that my school did an almost decent job at trying to diversify its student body's socio-economic diversity, that it sort of side-stepped the larger questions that are brought up around this discussion. I should also add that I am not only poor, but also went to a rather sub-par public school that, despite having a bunch of really awesome and nice teachers (that I miss dearly) that worked really hard at their jobs, was not even within several miles of bringing me close enough to actually succeed at the college I ultimately attended. The really strange thing about the economic diversity question is that, even when people from low-income backgrounds are admitted into these kinds of schools, it is usually only low-income people who went well out of their way very early on to prepare for this kind of a future. The low-income individuals who were admitted were ultimately still at a huge advantage due to the fact that they found their way into a prestigious private schools (through scholarships), or just had the privilege of being able to attend a really well-off public school in a rich area that they lived in despite not being rich themselves. I knew a lot of people through the college's low-income support groups, and even in finding those places where I found other low-income individuals, I could not help but be made uncomfortable by the fact that I never, ever, in my entire time at college, found another person who went to a poor public school. You could still make the argument that it is fine if only the low-income people who really make a concentrated effort and somehow luckily find the resources to train their whole lives should be the ones who make it to the best colleges, but I honestly think that's ridiculous. Even though I did not do very well in my classes, I ultimately still like to think (perhaps incorrectly) that I contributed SOMETHING to my institution while I was there. Furthermore, I like to think that those outside the mold of "obsessive ivy-league acceptance low-income people" would actually make great additions to any elite college, and that they should somehow figure out a way to include them more. Finally, it just is unfair and very American that rich people can simply not give a shit about where they go and still end up comprising the majority of these influential institutions. Despite giving a lot of money, careless rich people simply do not contribute any more to the campuses they belong to than the "average poor person" would, and in all honesty I would even say they contribute less. Thanks for making the video.

[@a.k.a.nirvana]

Love everything about this and the way it was put together. I’d love to see you further the conversation by speaking on the history of standardized testing and how it specifically targets people of a lower socioeconomic status with tests and the associated prep that is related solely to doing well in exams like the SAT, SHSAT as well as other forms of standardized testing. In NYC public school system there are so many tests at each level that serve almost no purpose but to show who can afford to prepare for the tests.

[@lokiblue5125]

In my school, it was considered bad if you got into an easy Ivy like Cornell or Brown. I went to a public school in Pittsburgh, and this was mainly among my class where people took 10+ AP classes. For upper middle class kids, there’s a grasper mentality. You work incredibly hard and you never knew how easy the rich kids had it.

[@Remy310]

So I guess it is all about the perceptions.mind u both Cornell and Brown offer very unique courses and some prefer the units to other top ivy.

[@KorisnickoIme84]

Did you go to Mater Dei or some shit?

[@averysimone5402]

i was wondering the exact same thing.. so excited to watch the full video!!

[@fabriceizzo2922]

It is far worse when wealthy college graduates with below average GPA have direct access to prestigious occupations in finance, media, sports, corporate management and entertainment. I have seen highly incompetant people get promoted to senior positions merely because their family has a large account with the company.

[@trinoelle]

it’s so annoying seeing rich people persecuted for bribing people to get their kids into school, when other rich people just happen to give really big donations...is that not the same thing

[@binkbonk7199]

I’m Canadian but a lot of this applies to us too. This is a great video.

[@cloudedvixen1760]

your narration is like so poetic when you talk at 3:51 and you feel so comforting & accessible throughout! thanks for making this!

[@amandamaryanna]

Ah glad you enjoyed thank u !

[@cloudedvixen1760]

thank you more for the vid ^-^

[@meelamanhattan6271]

The athletes getting accepted into Harvard thing : I went to high school in Chesapeake Virginia and I witnessed several students on the track and basketball team get accepted to Harvard . I was shocked because I didn’t think they were so academically ready for Harvard but they all said it was only because they were good athletes they would have to play on the team to be able to attend. And if I’m not mistaken the few I had this conversation with ended up choosing a HBCU

[@kaneshapiro5134]

Our society has put so much focus and money towards higher education and yet our public elementary, middle, and high schools are falling apart. I was privileged to be a part of a program called AVID which helps high school students who are first generation high school or college attenders. These are the students that need the assistance and support that the wealthier students are getting from home. When we look through all the issues surrounding wealth and equity in our society, it is like a web of roots that all lead back to an unchecked racist and classist capitalist system. ...shit...sorry to rant y'all. I appreciate these videos so much though. You do a great job!!!!

[@amandamaryanna]

I totally agree! Like not to say someone is a lost cause bc they didn't pass like first grade reading or something, but i feel like it's a little too easy to picture a low-income child's future if they're not excelling in school by like middle school. Luckily there are great programs like the one you mentioned that can help out low income/first gen kids in high school and I don't rlly know any specific data but it doesn't seem like there's enough and logically we should try to fix the problem at the root rather than just give opportunities to a few low income kids in high school and call it a day :/ (not saying those programs are bad we just need ppl to invest in more systemic change earlier on)

[@kaneshapiro5134]

@@amandamaryanna exactly! I am sure there is data on this somewhere, but the amount of support I child gets at home is massively impactful on their academic success. There homeless 2nd graders! And people expect kids to just sit and learn when they do not even know when their next meal is coming. Public schools have the potential to be safe spaces where students can utilize the resources they need, without the fear of being judged. Like you said in the video, the people who benefit from more resources are not those who already have them, so spread the wealth! Unless people are affected by being at a disadvantage in life, most tend to not even notice those who are slipping through the cracks.

[@carolinedoglio3841]

Such a well-researched video! I just finished my sophomore year at Cornell and as a first-gen low-income student the wealth culture was a huge shock and something I really struggled with during my first year. My day-to-day experiences with my peers have only radicalized me more and more. Long story short, eat the rich.

[@chongook4893]

As a poorer person who’s brother goes to Harvard I guess for us it’s about being the first to go to college in our city or something but a lot of these rich people just live off trust funds

[@titanicisshit1647]

are you blaming rich people because they're not the first in their city to go to college?

[@EHSIDAARTIST]

I've just found this channel and I love your whole vibe... it inspires me and is something I don't see enough of on KZbin.. keep up the good work you have a new fan

[@leereyes9550]

This definitely helped me. It’s true that my school experience I’ve been told or joked that making these elite schools are a really good thing. This makes things more specific so I get a “why” and “how”. Thank you for the resources!

[@review-elladaville1233]

This video is so good. I completely agree. Especially when you mention the whole idea of going to these ridiculously expensive schools as being a "status symbol" for the wealthy. It's basically the commercialization of elitism

[@mya4385]

Can we say: ✨Classism✨

[@kaitlynkemp6858]

It might sound weird but hearing this story and everything thats happened has made me extremely grateful to come from lower middle class, having to share a small bed with my siblings as a kid, living in dump apartments, struggling to make ends meet.... The lessons I learned about hard work, education, and the nonmaterialistic aspects of life are absolutely priceless. I can tell from your intelligence that you too know whats really important in life. Great video!

[@roswar3817]

As a middle class Stanford student, this is so so spot on. Awesome video, I wish I watched this before starting school