<p>ok i know there are certain majors that if you don't graduate from an elite school you probably won't be making as much money as someone who has... atleast it seems that way with everyone on this site trying to get into Wharton, Sloan, and Stern...</p>
<p>but for which majors does it NOT really matter which college you graduate from... like will a person who has an engineering degree from a top university likely have the same starting salary as an engineer from a third tier uni? (US news rankings of course)</p>
<p>Most majors matter. There's a salary boost at all of the top 15 schools (not by U.S. News standards of course, i.e. not Wash U) pretty much across the board. I would argue that an engineering degree from MIT is more valued than an engineering degree from a third tier school, for example.</p>
<p>puhleeeez UofC- you think a teacher (not teaching college) with a harvard diploma is going to be any better off than a teacher from a south northeast idaho state tech? or an RN? or careers that care more about talent than the piece of paper hanging on your wall (musicians, artists, etc)? advertising and journalism?</p>
<p>Education matters plenty beyond just a teacher. Professor, principal, curriculum development etc., matter to a degree where you went to college.</p>
<p>good one NYU student... any other majors like that? so far the list is </p>
<p>Accounting
Education (i don't think it matters too much despite what some people on this board are trying to say considering the super intendent of my school district graduated from a "third tier state university")
Art
Nursing</p>
<p>"You can argue education all you want, but to get to the highest point possible, i'll take my top private university degree any day."</p>
<p>What exactly are you defining as the highest point possible in the field of education? I thought about it for a second and the first thing that came to my mind was US Secretary of Education, so I looked up the last one we had.</p>
<p>"Roderick Raynor "Rod" Paige (born June 17, 1933), served as the 7th United States Secretary of Education from 2001 to 2005... He earned a bachelor's degree from Jackson State University in Mississippi and a Master's degree and a doctorate from Indiana University at Bloomington."</p>
<p>I wouldn't classify a bachelor's degree from Jackson State as a "top private university degree". Indiana University - Bloomington is a good university but is ranked 74 according to the US News. I didn't look up info on their graduate studies in education but I still have a feeling that it trails far behind the HYP and the likes.</p>
<p>EDIT: I just looked up the current US Sec. of Education, Margaret Spellings, and she only has an undergrad degree in political science from the University of Houston...</p>
<p>If you plan to grad school, your undergrad institution will not matter as much (= most of the sciences). Research experience is very important, though.</p>
<p>From personal experience, I've known people from lower-tier or less recognized colleges get into very good grad programs. On the other hand, people like molliebatmit say that top science grad programs are dominated by top colleges, so it's hard to tell. In my opinion, it doesn't matter as much where you go as what you do when you go there. Many fellowships are based on GPA and GRE scores, so getting a good GPA is important (sometimes easier to do at a less competitive college). Similarly, research experience is VERY important because grad school is all about teaching research skills. Top universities tend to have more resources per student, but ambitious students at "lower" universities can find them too, especially if they're in an honors program. It's much like undergrad admissions, I think- top schools (like prep schools at the high school level) get plenty of students into top programs, but normal schools do too.</p>
<p>One thing you must remember is that grad school is about finding a fit, much more so than at the undergrad level- so rankings don't mean much. If you're going for a PhD in biology, for example, US News is of little help. You find the top schools/faculty that work with lichen, amino acids, macroevolution or whatever specialized area you're interested in. There isn't a "best college" like there is at the undergrad level.</p>
<p>Speaking of CPA fellas, those of you who've studied for the CPA exam, what do you think is the most effective way to study for the CPA exam, self study review or live classroom review courses?? I know they're all very similar. However, there probably is a distinction between the reviews taught in classroom format vs. reviews of the self-study variety. </p>
<p>Some of these live courses cost a lot, esp. Becker Review, so I want to make sure I inquire about this subject beforehand.
I'm a senior at college and getting ready for the impending CPA review process. Thanks a lot in advance.</p>
<p>ooops...sorry, I just realized I probably posted on the wrong thread. This thread's really about choosing college major...pls. ignore my thread...</p>
<p>Yes, Condoleeza Rice graduated from the Univ. of Denver. Donald Sterling, owner of an NBA team and real estate mogul graduated from CSULA. I know....these are exceptions to the general rule...but open your eyes and you'll see that these exceptions are quite a few in number.</p>
<p>I've heard from several places that once you get into your field of work and gain experience, your college doesn't matter too much anymore, and it's your work experience they really look at. It probably will only matter when looking for a job immediately after graduating.</p>
<p>Or, so I've heard. :) It's actually kind of encouraging if it's true, since I am really iffy about whether I can get into some of the schools I've been looking at...</p>