Here’s a quick way to tell if you’re suffering from namebranditis (an affliction causing sufferers to fall overly in love with prestigious colleges).  If a school changed its name to one that most people wouldn’t recognize, would you be less inclined to apply?

Imagine Dartmouth became “The College of New Hampshire,” Caltech became “Southern California University of Math and Science,” or Duke became “Durham College.”  Would they lose their luster for you?

This question is especially important for high-achieving students whose college lists are composed entirely of highly selective colleges.  You’re not going to get into those schools if you’re applying just because of the names.  You’ll need good answers to the question, “Why have you decided to apply here?”  You’ll need to show evidence of a thoughtful college search, not just a recitation of facts you found on the website.

There’s nothing wrong with prestigious schools.  But whether or not a school is famous shouldn’t drive your college selection.  Test yourself for namebranditis, and make sure you’re picking schools that fit you well.