<p>See also: there are two kinds of people: those who divide things into groups and those who don't.</p>
<p>TheDad:</p>
<p>I think the quote is, "There are two kinds of people: those who divide things into two kinds of people and those who don't. I belong to the latter."</p>
<p>Heh. Nice add-on. Of course you know I'm stealing it.</p>
<p>A study has shown (out of UPenn!) that students who are top-tier capable-- this includes just thinking it is reasonable to apply to top tier schools-- do AS well in terms of salary as do those who go to Ivy League. Many Ivy capable students pick second-tier schools because of money, or perhaps they just like them better! I picked this up from Jay Matthews, who writes on Education in the Washington Post, and is himself a Harvard alum. Check out "Harvard, Schmvard" his book on the topic. (He also is the creator of the "Challenge Index" which rates high schools based on AP and IB statistics). </p>
<p>No reasonable employer is going to assume someone who didn't go Ivy isn't as smart as someone who did. Actually, they are really going to care about your skills and what you've done with your education, whereever you went!</p>
<p>it is weak, not week</p>
<p>I'd love to know where Jay Matthews' kids are at school. If they could get into Harvard, I bet he'd have them there.</p>
<p>actually it is ...There are three kinds of math teachers, those who can add and those who can't!</p>
<p>Funny you mention that...D is great with theoretical math and then sometimes stumbles over "mere calculation" as she calls it. Cf., the ballet dancers who can do amazing, difficult things and then trip over a shadow.</p>
<p>CollegeboundConf, yup, noticed several typos and incorrect spellings. However, after a short time, I can't edit my post, which is very frustrating.</p>
<p>Jay Matthews' son is at Pomona.</p>
<p>Not exactly North Texas A&M!!!! ;)</p>
<p>I thought it was his daughter at Pomona, but it is Pomona.</p>
<p>I am the product of both public(OSU) and private(Cornell) universities and have taught/advised thousands of grad students from both publec nad private colleges also. My 40+ years of first hand experience clearly indicates that there is no clear academic advantage of attending one type of college vs another IF the student is determined to take advantage of the academic resources available and is willing to challenge him/herself.</p>
<p>In education, quality for any particular student overwhelmingly rests with the student.</p>
<p>I just read this whole thread over again and all I can say is: "I'm tired".</p>
<p>Maybe we all need to get together for a couple of drinks.</p>
<p>I like originaloogs post. It kind of sums this whole thread up.</p>
<p>You don't come put of college with the ability to jump right into a job with both barrels blazing, your degree shows you have the ability to learn, and that ability along with desire makes an employer salivate.</p>
<p>Randc: I also concur with originaloog . Now where are we meeting? And are you buying?</p>
<p>Gee, then I guess it wasn't worth it to buy a house in a good community with good schools and high expectations, and hope that d will get into a good school. Should have bought a cheap house in a lesser neighborhood and not worried about the schools since "for any particular student overwhelmingly rests with the student." Maybe now I should just send my d to community college, since it's seems to be a consensus that where you go, the quality of the facilities, the quality of the faculty, the availability of like-minded students, etc. doesn't matter.</p>
<p>(Yes, that was sarcasm.)</p>
<p>There's an old saying that who you will be in five years is determined by the books you read and the people you associate with. Sorry, but I'd rather make sure that my d is associating with the intellectually curious and pay the extra money. Yes, perhaps she could get a decent education anywhere if she were willing or able to fight for it, but why would I want to require her to fight?</p>
<p>"Sorry, but I'd rather make sure that my d is associating with the intellectually curious and pay the extra money."</p>
<p>I agree. When you have the extra money, and you truly believe it helps, I think most parents will use it to give their kids the best advantage possible.</p>
<p>Chedva, From what I have seen, kids coming out of some "mediocre" hs (lets say 1/3+ don't attend college), do better with merit and financial aid than the kid with slightly lower grades from a better hs (98% attending 2 or 4 year colleges). Just my observation and opinion.</p>
<p>Northeastmom, but which kid has an easier time in college? The kid from the mediocre school may have some catching up to do, and the grades may suffer, affecting grad school later down the line. It's always hard to know what to do - we compromised. We're in a "good enough" school district, well regarded, but not the top rated in the county. We supplemented with summer and after school programs.</p>
<p>chedva</p>
<p>I was hoping that the va in your name didn't mean Virginia because I thought you were going to hunt me down and do me bodily harm.....then I read the part about it being sarcasm. Needless to say I was very relieved.</p>
<p>I actually paid for my son to go to the public schools in the town next to mine because I felt it was a better school system. So sure, you do what you can to make the environment (people, books, etc.) a positive in your childs life, but you also try to instill some drive and character.</p>
<p>oldolddad</p>
<p>I'm buying (in Virginia)</p>