<p>I, too, experienced “family” by living with a group of fellow students in a house on the edge of the Carleton campus. Colleges present an odd model for growing up that gathers a few thousand 18-21 year olds on a campus and expects them to “find themselves” without the support of a family structure. So we made our own family. And like the families we were born into or have formed, we have bonds that truly last over the years. Although our group only gathers every 5 or 10 years, when we do get together I don’t think we pay much attention to the gray hair or changing bodies; instead we feel the closeness we’ve never lost and pick up where we left off at the last reunion.</p>
<p>We follow each others careers, exchange Christmas cards, visit when we’re nearby, and as we lose our older relatives through the years, our college group serves as an extended family.</p>
<p>I think the class reunions that Carleton holds each year enhances these loyalties. It sounds corny, but reunions do bind us to our alma mater and to our classmates. After all, we’re the same age, going through major life experiences at the same time, so there’s a built-in understanding.</p>
<p>I do welcome other Carleton alumni - there’s automatically a connection to another person who experienced the same campus, classes, professors, college traditions and MN weather. And, like Faline2, I hope that my children also make lifelong friends and form a strong attachment to their schools.</p>
<p>“As far as connections go, however, our friends haven’t had any impact on our careers, since they’re in different fields.”</p>
<p>Same is true for me. My college friends virtually all became doctors while I entered completely different fields.</p>
<p>I current live in a small city far from my college, and there aren’t many alumni here. If I were in a major city in many parts of the U.S., however, I’d probably be able to call on many connections from my college.</p>
<p>Overall, though, from what I’ve noticed, one has an even larger net of potentially useful connections if one attended the flagship public in the state in which one is currently living.</p>
<p>^ yes, a lot of my friends right now in high school (we’re seniors) mention how they want to study on elsewhere, go to grad school, and come back to our state and settle back down. I’m sure that won’t always be the case but at the same time many students will choose to follow that path. </p>
<p>i started this thread mainly because when one asks a student why he/she chose an ivy over another top 10 or 20 school, usually one of the reasons is “because I’ll have better connections after college.” Perhaps I should start a new thread asking “have you ever called upon a college friend to help you out in any type of situation?”</p>
<p>I did my undergrad at Purdue, where I had the privilege of joining a sorority. Most of us are friends for life! Just last weekend, H and I had dinner with three other couples. Not only are our husbands now friends, but our children are, too. For all of you nay sayers, this is the best part of going Greek.</p>
<p>H did his undergrad at a small LAC. He keeps in touch with only one person from college. His “connectedness” has always been a result of career contacts made.</p>