<p>toast eater: I see where you’re coming from with your story. However, I think that your assumptions about the mystique of an Ivy degree are quite exaggerated. In almost all sectors, your alma mater has little to do with anything. Perhaps his coworkers will be impressed that he attended an Ivy, but it’s quite a stretch to say that the coworkers’ attitudes/reactions towards him will change (let alone put him at a net disadvantage) because of this fact. Will they really reflect on their own mediocrity while wondering why their Ivy co-worker isn’t off doing better things? I’m sure that your scenario is possible, but is it the norm? Probably not. </p>
<p>E.g., At my internship, I do the same work as grads from Ivy League institutions. And even though I attend a reputable school, it is not an Ivy. While I recognize the Ivy grads’ intelligence and accomplishment, I have never questioned why they weren’t off doing better things because of what their diploma says. They might be overqualified, but I doubt the reactions of me and my non-Ivy coworkers put them at a net disadvantage. Our opinion is as such: they’re bright people and we’re happy to have them on staff.</p>