<p>Off topic a bit, but in my opinion, the size of the alumni network dilutes it.
Here in Chicago, being a Northwestern or University of Chicago grad are not distinguishing characteristics. Over half the people one knows in employment circles are from those schools. I have never seen this work to an applicant’s advantage. So what? Maybe if you were from Dartmouth, Williams or Swarthmore…? Even Cornell might work better than the U of C or Northwestern.</p>