When it comes to the college process, it seems, some people are more worthy of congratulations than others. You may love the school you’re attending next year, but there’s no need to jump around excitedly if it’s not in the Ivy League.  It’s amazing how many of my classmates (considerate, nice people) fell prey to this thought process.

But, you may say, those who are attending an Ivy League college must have worked harder for their results than those who are not, and thus are more worthy of congratulations. Of course, you may think, anybody that gets admitted to an Ivy League (or one such comparable school) should wish to go there over another college that might be a better personal or financial fit.

Really, though? Do you really think those things are true? If any one of us were asked whether college rankings are an accurate measure of an attendee’s ability, achievements, or future success in life, we would all undoubtedly say no. We love to idolize famous college dropouts. We read article upon article of success stories of rags-to-riches, and so on and so forth. Yet somehow the idea is lodged deep in our minds that attending a college that is not in the top 5 of the latest, “official” ranking is a sign of resignation, a thing to be pitied.

It appears to me that we could all benefit from learning to be happy for those who are happy, and congratulating anyone who tells you their college of choice with a smile on their face. That’s how I’d like to remember the class of 2012.