[Nicholas_C]

> From a social point of view, if you want to associate yourself with interesting, smart people and engage with interesting social activities, you will have to identify and seek those out from among everything else.

Other than less desirable job opportunities, this was the worst part about going to a school that isn't top ranked. Most of my classmates and people in my social circles were there to go through the motions and weren't interested in anything academic. Although I enjoyed college, the whole experience really made me regret not taking high school seriously.

[gregcohn]

This is a very insightful comment.

It's hard to imagine most high-school seniors having the sophistication to make good choices here without the guidance of sophisticated parents or supporters, let alone imagine younger students making them early enough to have good options.