I think the difference is more about how robust recruiting is at different schools. You will have a better chance of getting an interview at the major firms. Big 4 recruiting is a good example. Many think of the Big 4 as accounting firms. They have morphed into well rounded professional services including consulting, advisory, etc. They live on campus and recruit for all lines at certain schools, recruit specifically for audit at others, and don’t recruit at all from the rest. Same thing exists in Banking and I’m sure many industries. Does GE recruit for it’s renowned FDLP (Financial Development Leadership Program) everywhere? No. They have a vetted list of schools that they visit for that specific program (based on track record and quality of students).
None of this is bad. You can do quite well working your way into great situations, but students from certain schools have an advantage in their initial job search. How they do in that job leads to the next step, whether it be promotions, MBA, etc.
@rickle1 this is true – I work for one of the Big 4. And it isn’t that we think there is anything inferior about certain schools, it is really just about pragmatics of how many schools can we get to resaonably and recruit.
IF you have some other way to get your resume to the top, you can still get an internship or a job at one of these firms. I helped someone do just that as she didn’t go to one of the major recruited schools for our firm. And she is doing very well.
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.
Is it possible just to finish my pre requisites at an out of state junior college, establish residency there, and then hopefully qualify for in state tuition?
In most states, establishing residency for tuition purposes depends on your parents doing so, until you are considered independent for financial aid purposes (age 24, married, or military veteran are the more common ways). Check each state university for its specific rules.
I’m currently an independent student does that make a difference? Also I found out something called the student exchange program. would that be something to put in consideration?
It really only matters for networking. The colleges with the best networks have graduates with higher salaries mid career. People change jobs every 1.5-3 yrs on average, and most jobs happen through networking.
You may need to be working full time and not there as a student for your time there to qualify you as a resident. Most states are strict about living in their state as a student. Why would you compromise your education with the 2 year school and then try to get accepted into the four year school? Sounds like a long process. You likely would be best off using your instate options.
I’m also planning on taking clep tests in both algebra and calculus so i can get college credit. If I ever decide on apply to MIT, CMU, Cornell, CalTech for grad school would that look bad since I just took the test and not the actual course itself?
It depends on what you want to do. Generally, the school really doesn’t matter, but some majors are more competitive for jobs than others. In academic careers, the school make a huge difference. In computer careers, it makes no difference at all. Clemson and USC are both excellent schools, so it’s really just a matter of preference. In-state is the better option because of cost.