what criteria make a top college?

[Anonymous]

It can't all be about how hard it is to get in....so what makes these top universities stand out?
Better professors or is it just great marketing attracting $$$ and therefore everyone wants to be associated with the prestige.
in other words, is a doctor, stock broker, journalist, engineer from Harvard better than one from University of MD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It can't all be about how hard it is to get in....so what makes these top universities stand out?
Better professors or is it just great marketing attracting $$$ and therefore everyone wants to be associated with the prestige.
in other words, is a doctor, stock broker, journalist, engineer from Harvard better than one from University of MD?

They have top students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It can't all be about how hard it is to get in....so what makes these top universities stand out?
Better professors or is it just great marketing attracting $$$ and therefore everyone wants to be associated with the prestige.
in other words, is a doctor, stock broker, journalist, engineer from Harvard better than one from University of MD?

They have top students.[/quote

define top students. good grades? wealthy? important? innovative?

[Anonymous]

Rich alumni.

[Anonymous]

Research output

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It can't all be about how hard it is to get in....so what makes these top universities stand out?
Better professors or is it just great marketing attracting $$$ and therefore everyone wants to be associated with the prestige.
in other words, is a doctor, stock broker, journalist, engineer from Harvard better than one from University of MD?

On balance, yes.

[Anonymous]

The degree of association with the WASP establishment.

[Anonymous]

The teachers are more innovative, more connected to the latest in their field, more connected to opportunities. They are part of your future Rolodex.

The students are smarter, self-motivated, and willing to work hard. They are striving for excellence in education and life opportunities. They will work at the best employers or start their own businesses. They are part of your future rolodex.

The school has better facilities and more resources, better connections to life opportunities, faculty and student prestige gets the top employers and graduate schools to take them seriously.

All of this - the college, the faculty, and the students - create a synergistic flywheel that perpetuates success at every turn.

[Anonymous]

If your goal is to be an accountant, don’t bother with Harvard. You won’t use the advantages it gives you, and you can accomplish your goal at a much lower price point. Get an accounting degree from a public college, take the CPA tests, gets some experience, eventually open your own practice or move up the ladder at one of the big firms. Done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It can't all be about how hard it is to get in....so what makes these top universities stand out?
Better professors or is it just great marketing attracting $$$ and therefore everyone wants to be associated with the prestige.
in other words, is a doctor, stock broker, journalist, engineer from Harvard better than one from University of MD?

If the goal is to be an Average Joe in any of these professions, the answer is no. You go to Harvard to be something special, but it doesn’t turnout that way for many. There are more factors in life than the college you attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The degree of association with the WASP establishment.

So this has not been a thing for more than 50 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Research output[/quo


Not for a top Slac!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It can't all be about how hard it is to get in....so what makes these top universities stand out?
Better professors or is it just great marketing attracting $$$ and therefore everyone wants to be associated with the prestige.
in other words, is a doctor, stock broker, journalist, engineer from Harvard better than one from University of MD?

On balance, yes.

Agree on balance on on average a doctor, stock broker, lawyer, journalist, engineer will be better from Harvard than Maryland. Now there could be some great ones that do great things from Maryland but on average yes Harvard would be better. Princeton and Yale likely better than Harvard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The degree of association with the WASP establishment.

Omg so false. If true I would still be giving ml et to my Slac and Harvard. Those days ended when the Hews were allowed into the top universities after the 50s. How old are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The degree of association with the WASP establishment.

So this has not been a thing for more than 50 years.

+1