<p>Sorry Mini, I am a graduate of a research university, as is my H, we’ve both been grad students at research universities, and my kids are all graduates of research universities. (there’s my bias.) You are the poster who likes to claim that anecdote is not the plural of data- I can assure you that even when dinosaurs roamed the earth when H and I were in school, we met and learned under plenty of famous professors. My kids even more so. One kid got a summer job when Famous Professor picked up the phone to call a former grad student and said, “hi it’s me, Joe, you have to meet this kid”. (believe me- my kid is not that extraordinary) One kid got bumped ahead in line for two different fellowships based on two professors (one in the department, one outside) calling in some favors. One worked as an editor for two years on a professors book (yes, humanities professors do research) and several years later, this professor is still the “go to guy” for advice on careers and what-not, even though he’s old and famous and renowned and not even in the same field.</p>
<p>Some U’s allow grad students to act as de facto faculty members. Others do not. Some Nobel prize winners don’t know the names of their undergrads. Others attend their former students weddings and kids baptisms and are god-parents to scores of little ones whose parents still consider them the singular most important impact on their intellectual development.</p>
<p>And the gods of CC are truly nuts if they think that most kids going to LAC’s are attending the likes of William and Amherst. </p>
<p>you guys need to get out more.</p>