Did anybody in the past four years take a step back and ask: "What is an education nowadays?"

Not "What is an education worth?" or "What should be included in our curriculum?"

I want an answer to my question verbatim.

Once you give me that, tell me why I should choose a name-brand gimmick that demands money and wants me to knock on my professor's door every waking moment, just to see if there's trash to take outside?

Since higher education washed over my life, it has been a battle of nomenclature. You must fight with your peers to acquire the 1 out of a 450 spots offered by a prestigious university, and for what?

Many claim that earning such a spot denotes a matter of respect and pride, family "values" that make your lineage proud. Others find that the "name-branding" opens up more doors for one's potential.

Isn't that shit a bit outdated?

Mom & Dad,

Take pride in the fact that I chose the option that is best for me. Note -- you know I take this next step of my life seriously. I am not looking for round two of my undergraduate experiences. This is about my career.

And in that training for my career, I want to be noticed and have my goals be nourished and developed into achievements. You expect me to do that as an MA graduate student at this ivy league I got into?

This other university comes knocking on my door, letting me call the shots, and remains as honest as possible about how I need to achieve my dream job, and you think I need to "keep my options open?"

If you spent less time worrying about the name of the school I attend, then you would see that there is no difference between the potential of one or the other. There is the matter of opening or creating the door. Which do you find more impressive? Which act holds more respect?

I know you come from a place of concern; you want my life to be easy. I didn't grow up on a farm, and I do not balance a "hard life's journey" atop my shoulders. Nevertheless, please don't let the burdens that shoulder your experience become the weight that falls upon mine.

Why can't you just trust that I am making the right decision? Is it because I went away from a year and came back battered and broken? Don't forget that you never encouraged me to come home. I thought our family took pride in our perseverance?

For a long time now, I hoped for progress in higher education. As of today, I am a bit disappointed. Stemming from the attitudes towards schools rather than the schools themselves, I am choosing an institution that cares about me -- an institution that showcased thoughtfulness rather than boastfulness.

I choose a school that provides me with a thorough program, genuine mentorship, and intimate learning experiences, the program that will allow me to define my own success.

I have plenty to prove to myself, I admit. But at least my university of choice helps me harness my potential rather than degrade it.

Please. Let me make a name for myself.