<p>i haven't read this thread besides the first post, but i think the reason why many of us (myself included) would like to attend prestigious institutions is for the educational experience. many of these schools are famous for good reasons, so even if future success is not guaranteed by a harvard diploma, the intrinsic worth of education makes the "elite college" experience uniquely valuable.</p>
<p>Actually, employers will first cut or eliminate people who went to not-so-good schools compared with other applicants, then choose the best work among those that still remain.</p>
<p>For every Ronald Reagan (Eureka College-->President), I can find you ten George W. Bushes (Yale-->President). </p>
<p>The point is, I'd be willing to bet that a larger percentage of those who graduate from top tier schools get high-paying jobs than those who graduate from state flagship U.</p>
<p>And obviously there will be plenty of successful people who graduate from state colleges. The overwhelming majority of American college students are at state colleges and CCs. Statistically, they will provide more successful people than Ivies, but that doesn't mean they're more likely to.</p>
<p>I thought I read that you wanted to go to UVA? That's not exactly a 'state school'; I would even say that it qualifies as elite.</p>
<p>Part of the reason there's an advantage in prestigious schools is their alumni networks. Some people who graduate from these expensive-as-hell liberal arts schools or Ivies make to to the top of their field, and immediately begin helping other graduates from their alma maturs climb up too. After a couple decades of this, there's an extensive network of established experts in their professions available to help pull up grads of the top colleges. Top colleges offer more than just a sheet of paper that costs $200,000, they offer serious connections to their graduates.</p>
<p>And then there are more opporitunites and connections within these prestigious schools. They have the capital to pay for massive study abroad programs; which give their students a new perspective on the world. They can afford to pay for top-notch researchers, which allow students pursue their academic and career interests before grad school. They have connections with major corporations for funding and internships for their kids. They have incredible resources, the caliber of which might not be matched at institutions of lesser rank. College isn't just about getting a degree. It's also about actually doing things that are done in the real world (like research, internships, study abroad). Prestigious institutions often give people the opportunity to do more in their college years than regular, public schools.</p>
<p>BS. this is all BS. a friend of mine has parents who went to the University of Maryland. both ended up as neurosurgeons and are wildly succesful and rich (if thats what youre into)</p>
<p>the point of it is to say im better than you</p>
<p>but in this country, you don't have to be smart to make dough</p>
<p>um, yes you do!!!! </p>
<p>Name one person that works as a cashier in mcdonalds that is smart...</p>
<p>Right, because somehow having any 4 year degree in college = McDonald's...</p>
<p>And quite a few HS'ers/College people work at McDonald's and go on to better careers. Summer job... o0.</p>
<p>Also, K-Theory was saying that you don't have to be smart to earn money. Even if you're not book-smart, it will be quite easy to make a good $40k doing manual/technical work (mechanic, etc).</p>
<p>lol...screw 40k. my parents know a plumber who rolls in a million dollars a year. but that's cause he got lucky when they were developing big homes in santa barbara or something. but yea, the concept is the same. you dont need technical knowledge to make money. a lot of business is who u know not wut u kno, too.</p>
<p>I admire your apathy towards prestigious schools. The reason so many dudes here are infatuated with Harvard and other well known schools is partly because of their parents. Although many parents just want their children to be happy and successful regardless of w/e college they feel comfortable in, other parents tend to push their children towards the ivy league. There are a few reasons for this "pushing". Probably the most quintessential point would be because parents enjoy bragging about their harvard son to other parents and it increases their social status. I'm not saying that all Harvard admirers are pushed by their parents. Indeed, there are still quite a few students who want to go to harvard not for the prestige, but because of the complex and varied opportunities given there. THere are many activities that would allow some students with a passion for learning to thrive. Some students who excel at almost everythign they do go there because they want more competition with their harvard peers so they can push themselves to the limit and see what they are capable of. going to harvard and seeing all the smart people that are at your level is motivating and as a result, you can work harder. Even though the normal non prestigious college gives you the same type of diploma harvard gives, a harvard graduate probably has more drive and a sense of fullness. he or she may feel more confident because they were pushed to the limit. Of course, harvard is not the place for everyone and students who think they can thrive in a community colleg or the like should do w/e they think is right.</p>
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I thought I read that you wanted to go to UVA? That's not exactly a 'state school'; I would even say that it qualifies as elite.
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</p>
<p>how is it not a state school? It is run and funded by the state of VA, thus making it a 'state' school.</p>
<p>I agree with you, sars, in most of your contentions.</p>
<p>After reading 3 pages of this thread, it still appears that half the posters believe in the ivy league dream and the other half know that an ivy league education is a shot in the dark when it comes to wealth, happiness, and success. While I believe it's true, the ivies may bring more opportunity, it is the student who has to have the ambition to go after those opportunities. I believe half of the students that are in the ivies are probably there because their parents pushed them -psychologically. I know because I'm one of them. I really believed that if my "D" got into HYP, that it would confirm that she was smarter than the norm, and it would confirm my abilities as a parent. HA! How sad is that? There are so many smart people in the world and, a plethera of them went to state colleges. And yes, many of them wind up more successful than those who went to an ivy. As a parent, looking back on things, you realize you don't even know who you are at 18. I am not the same person at 18 as I am now. I would never have been able to handle the workload of an ivy student, my mind just wasn't into it at that time in my life; however, today, if you put me against one on a day to day basis, with my competitive nature, I would give them a run for their money. Many of the students who choose a state college are there because they didn't have "helicopter parents" to push them, help them with their applications, or choose to break the bank. Everything these "average students" do is based on their own accomplishments and not their parents, thus making them more "prepared" for life. At a job interview, a Harvard degree would no doubt be impressive, but it won't necessarily land you the position. You have to be able to "fit in" with the people you will be working with, and the employer knows that. Generally speaking if a company has to choose a potential employee based on their education (whether it be from an ivy or state university) or experience, they are going to choose the individual that has the experience (obviously depending on the field). This also brings up another interesting topic of conversation, which is, depending on what you do in life, is a college degree really even necessary? I was lucky in that I landed a position in a finance company right after high school. I just kept climbing the corporate ladder. I work next to people with their masters degrees from many different universities, and I only have a high school diploma. I still make the same, if not, more $ then they do because I have more experience in my field. Life is not about which university is written on a piece of paper, it's all about what you make of it.</p>
<p>Well said! BRAVO!</p>
<p>Funny, only a select few people have responded to this thread. Humph, I still am not convinced about this great "prestige" of an ivy school.
State schools still sound mighty nice, are they not?</p>
<p>First of all you guys that are obssessing that people should not want to go to top colleges, what does it matter to you? If people want to go to Ivy League Schools who are you to tell them that it won't help in the long run, Because it sure will. </p>
<p>Not all people apply to ivy league schools just because they are what you call "prestigous". Some people actually care about their education and are willing to do anything to acheive their goals, even if that means re-taking the SATs even if you got a grade that most people would die for. </p>
<p>When you sterotype top colleges as "prestigous" did you possibly ever think that something had to happen to make them so "prestigous". Well obviously that would be things such as employment rates and how hard working the people are. They must also offer an education that you cannot get at a regular State University. </p>
<p>So then if these schools don't offer a higher education then State Universities, then why exactly do so many people continue to apply each year. Maybe it is for the name, and if it is the college didn't get the name and records without work. Obviously graduating from the Ivy league schools matters or why would people apply if it is just a waste of money. </p>
<p>As for the graduate schools not caring about where you went to college, that is completely false. Many graduate colleges actually assign points based on the college you went to and that factors into whether or not you are admitted. </p>
<p>Jobs often find you when you graduate from a top college. Its like the peoples eyes widen and they think... well if they can get through an ivy league education (which might I say is definatly tougher than a StateU) then they probably can suceed at the job. </p>
<p>Overall the elite colleges are elite for a reason, they are not just some random college that people seem to like. Nobody ever said that you need an Ivy Diploma to suceed in life, but it sure does help.</p>
<p>^YAWN!!!!! Same old, same old....BORING!</p>
<p>What is with this vendetta against top schools, Lee? Seriously this is getting to be a little overkill</p>
<p>Why, Kramer? Because I wish to let these obsessed CCers know that an ivy diploma really does not matter. You can be successful whether at an ivy or state uni.
The state of ignorance that I have seen here claiming that ivies are the only choice for success is appalling. Besides the bit of mumbo jumbo said here, I have yet to be persuaded of the superiority of an ivy or top tier school. In fact, the applicants of these ivies as shown here make me worship God even more for not applying to these "schools" As ignorant as many have shown themselves here, I "ain't" applying to no ivy anytime soon.</p>
<p>So, Jim Kramer, I argue for the betterment of mankind, KWIM?</p>
<p>Well that's all well and good but there is no need to degrade or insult others. If someone, like me, wants to go to an Ivy League school it's really none of your concern.</p>