The Collegian

Issue date: 11/14/06 Section: Opinion

What's in a name? How much hinges on it, and how can the right one really make a person?

I was recently in Boston, and in my meandering I found myself in Cambridge, and specifically Harvard Square. This was my first time in the city so I was undoubtedly taken aback by the tradition-steeped colonial style architecture and the quaint uneven stone paths. I especially enjoyed the palpable autumnal vibe that manifested itself in the bite of the crisp air, an entire city chicly clothed sweaters and blazers, and the intense colors of the freshly fallen foliage; a real novelty for those of us who reside on the west coast. Seasonal technicalities aside, I was definitely struck by the fact that I was standing on Harvard's campus. Harvard!

"I bet the students all go to class like, really dressed up," I said, already picturing the throngs of students (6,000 undergrads, we took the tour…) heading to class, dressed perfectly as they must do all things perfectly, as they swelled with knowledge so as to go out into the world and truly represent the crème de la crème of society. "Umm, I bet they're just like us," a teammate said and yeah, I bet so. I bet they do wear sweats, I bet they do wait until the night before some papers are due to write them, and I bet one or two of em' have even read spark notes *Gasp*.

I don't remotely know these people, and I am sure the academic curriculum at Harvard is rigorous, otherwise the institution simply couldn't have gained the honor and prestige it has. I am also sure that on some level that same solid reputation has conditioned me to believe that as a mere civilian in this country, just an average Jane attending a school of lesser renown, that I am in some way unworthy to even consider this place.

The student guiding the tour said the academic core of Harvard is based on the words of a dean who once said he wanted his students "to know a little bit about everything, and a lot about one thing." Wait a second; we do that too… isn't that what our area requirements are all about? She also told us a feel-good story about her current dean amiably interacting with her and a couple of peers as they sun bathed on the quad lawn in January-he is just that kind of guy.

But hold on, I know I've talked to Brother Ron once or twice, and I know that a large chunk of faculty and staff are RDs, including Brother Ron.

This got me thinking…Maybe our school isn't a household name ("Maryland, right?" was a common guess that weekend) and maybe the simple fact of graduating from Saint Mary's will not guarantee us a job in whatever field we decide to enter, but in a lot of ways we really aren't that different from these big-gun schools.

People here work hard, and if a student works the system, the potential education gained is immense. Future employers might not become flabbergasted at the sight of the School's name, but if the student learned anything in seminar, he or she should be able to articulate well enough to land the spot nevertheless.

This is not a way for me to feel better about myself for not going to Harvard, nor am I demeaning colleges that are clearly superior in some respects. Rather I am just trying to say that our school is not bad.I am saying that our school is awesome, its just different.

I don't want to sit in a lecture hall with 1,000 kids (the largest class at Harvard, intro to economics I believe it is…) or even 100.

I do want to learn a little bit about everything though, and a lot about one thing; but think I'm already on my way.

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