I didn’t read other posts under this thread but as a senior manager working at a Fortune 100 company I would like to assure OP and other students that the college you go to will not define your life.
In my company we recruit not only from the Top colleges but also from Top 50 colleges. Each college graduate is given the same chance to impress the HR. Once HR completes first assessment these college graduates are interviewed by Senior Managers/Directors of the departments students wants to work for. Once selected each graduate then enters into a 2 year rotational program. 6 months rotation at a different department. After 4 rotations(total 2 years) the graduates are assessed by Vice Presidents. The ones who impresses the VP’s are put on a fast track to become future Directors/VP’s/Presidents. Others are put on regular track.
I gave this example before but want to give again as it is really enhancing the message I want to give. One graduate of Rutgers and one graduate of MIT. I got the chance working with both. I personally recommended the kid from Rutgers. Not only his personality was bright he was innovative and was working in great harmony with everybody in the group. After getting inputs from each Senior Manager worked with these kids The VP’s decided to put the kid from Rutgers on fast track.
Long story short yes which school you go to will help you get into the door. But it is your character, work ethic, personality, relationship with other members of the company will determine your future success.
Your life won’t be glamorous once you get into MIT.
Your life won’t suck just because you got into Rutgers instead of Princeton.
P.S. Sorry for my broken grammar as I am an expat in this country.