<p>If two schools are similarly ranked, would the large school usually be better for networking (more alumni)? How can you tell if a college has a strong alumni network? Cornell, Tufts, Amherst, Middlebury, and Haverford are the schools I'm looking at.</p>
<p>Cornell would have the largest alumni network. Haverford and Middlebury may have the tightest ones - because they are very small institutions. Overall, I don’t see much qualitative difference between these though.</p>
<p>If you aren’t certain of your major field, Cornell may be a better bet because of the sheer breadth of the programs offered.</p>
<p>“What constitutes a strong alumni network?” </p>
<p>Large, geographically spread out, successfull, proud and loyal. It does not have to have all of those properties of course. Cornell probably has the strongest alumni network in this group, but the other schools are also sure to have good alumni networks. </p>
<p>At any rate, alumni networks are overrated. There was a time when alumni networks really made a difference, but those days are gone. There are two reasons for this:</p>
<p>1) Employers are recruiting much more aggressively on campuses now than they were in the past. That’s thanks to the rise of the campus as a recruitment trove, but more so thanks to the maturity of college seniors and the onset of technology, improved communication and cheaper travel costs. </p>
<p>2) Even the most senior of executives do not have the ability to hire as freely as they once could. They must now adhere to manpower plans, budgets and hiring processes. </p>
<p>Still, a strong alumni network is always good to have and all 5 schools listed above will be strong in that regard.</p>