<p>To be honest, why exactly do you all fret about were you get admitted. I know of many people that went to community colleges or went to "3rd Tier" schools and turn out to have very happy, fufilling lives. So, my question is, do people here really think that were you go to college is going to completely affect your life. I mean honestly, what is the difference between going to loyola university,university of colorado, and you know, those schools that are "3rd tier", and going to havard, yale, stanford, MIT, etc?</p>
<p>Yes and No. Its much easier to get your first real job with your degree from Berkeley then it is from the average ho hum college. Plus, you will learn more and get a better education, obviously, at the better university. However, about 5 years after you get out of college, employers will disregard, for the most part, your college experience and solely look at what you've done out out of college. But as long as your happy, none of that matters.</p>
<p>Certainly there's over-obsessing about "rank" or perceived "prestige" of college. I was fortunate to attend an HYP college. In the years subsequently, I've worked alongside FANTASTIC people who didn't attend a school with as much "name" as mine and I'm never let down finding more and more every day.</p>
<p>However, it's not to say that the QUALITATIVE difference for the student isn't significant. I've worked at other universities and there's NO WAY I'd switch my experience with theirs. Not that they didn't educate students-- they did. However it would be disingenuous or naive to say that there aren't REAL differences. A rickshaw and a limousine can both transport you from an airport to your hotel. However, can you blame someone for striving to get the limo versus the rickshaw?</p>
<p>Again, I agree that there's too much freaking out about "rank" or "prestige". When I give college fair sessions, I ALWAYS tell the students/parents that in most every likelihood, they will be extremely successful at whatever college they attend -- I believe that 100%.</p>
<p>Yea it does matter. Significantly.</p>
<p>Bump 10char</p>
<p>LOL: I guess you're waiting on someone to agree with your post, eh?</p>
<p>I would agree... I'm still a firm believer that it's the person that makes the school and not the school that makes the person. If you go to a decent college, with its own traditions, academic system, and sense of pride, I'm sure anyone can do fine if they put their mind to it. </p>
<p>Then again... Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc are at the top end of the spectrum for comparison purposes. They have unbelievable endowments that correspond directly into financial aid...</p>
<p>Fact is.... it's the person that makes their education. Each school has its ups and downs and connections ARE nice, but the top student in a given program at a small LAC will probably get far more attention and opportunities than an equivalent student at HYP -- which could easily translate into FAR stronger letters of rec for grad or professional programs as well as employment settings.</p>