Do students at universities form social groups based on family income levels?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It happens….some can afford concerts, spring break trips, nicer apartments and fancy dinners out. I don’t think it completely precludes larger and more diverse friend groups, but tighter cliques do form as a result of income levels.

This already acts as a natural filter in the dating pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been thinking a lot about what 'prestige' really means in college admissions. From what I’ve observed, many mc parents are fixated on elite private schools — likely because they want to feel part of an exclusive group, and are drawn to features like smaller student-to-teacher ratios. But when it comes to actual education quality, there’s no significant difference between top public and private schools. What really sets these elite institutions apart is the concentration of wealth, which creates the illusion of prestige. Ironically, though, middle-class students often can’t afford to participate in the exclusive networks and activities of their wealthier peers.

A so-called elite school can actually be cheaper because they are able to offer significant aid even to middle class students. That is absolutely one of the reasons they are so competitive. And then the financial burden of paying tuition exists for every college from the bottom to the top.. so people want to use that money to go to the highest quality institution they can access.

I still don't see a significant financial advantage in attending a private elite university over a state flagship. The only real difference I’ve noticed is greater access to faculty (student/teacher ratio)

If your family income is less than $250,000 per year, you are not going to get a tuition bill from Princeton University if you can get yourself in there. That is what a lot of people would call a significant financial advantage.

[Anonymous]

I went to college on extensive financial aid and paid for law school out of the trust of the wife I found there, so there was enough income mixing for me at least.

[Anonymous]

Yes, 100%
My son is at any Ivy and reports that all NYC private school kids and boarding school kids stick together. Several of them have parents who bought houses near the Ivy
that sit mostly empty (freshman year) but that the kids use to party. Also they get local country club memberships for their 4 years and the kids all play golf together.
My kid attended a top private and has been invited to party and golf, etc but told me "They're fine but I don't want my entire social experience to revolve around them" --because apparently it's a pretty all-consuming group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been thinking a lot about what 'prestige' really means in college admissions. From what I’ve observed, many mc parents are fixated on elite private schools — likely because they want to feel part of an exclusive group, and are drawn to features like smaller student-to-teacher ratios. But when it comes to actual education quality, there’s no significant difference between top public and private schools. What really sets these elite institutions apart is the concentration of wealth, which creates the illusion of prestige. Ironically, though, middle-class students often can’t afford to participate in the exclusive networks and activities of their wealthier peers.

A so-called elite school can actually be cheaper because they are able to offer significant aid even to middle class students. That is absolutely one of the reasons they are so competitive. And then the financial burden of paying tuition exists for every college from the bottom to the top.. so people want to use that money to go to the highest quality institution they can access.

I still don't see a significant financial advantage in attending a private elite university over a state flagship. The only real difference I’ve noticed is greater access to faculty (student/teacher ratio)

If your family income is less than $250,000 per year, you are not going to get a tuition bill from Princeton University if you can get yourself in there. That is what a lot of people would call a significant financial advantage.

That's very generous. Who cares if you don't get to hob knob with the billionaire students. For that level of support, I think you can develop some coping skills around that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been thinking a lot about what 'prestige' really means in college admissions. From what I’ve observed, many mc parents are fixated on elite private schools — likely because they want to feel part of an exclusive group, and are drawn to features like smaller student-to-teacher ratios. But when it comes to actual education quality, there’s no significant difference between top public and private schools. What really sets these elite institutions apart is the concentration of wealth, which creates the illusion of prestige. Ironically, though, middle-class students often can’t afford to participate in the exclusive networks and activities of their wealthier peers.

A so-called elite school can actually be cheaper because they are able to offer significant aid even to middle class students. That is absolutely one of the reasons they are so competitive. And then the financial burden of paying tuition exists for every college from the bottom to the top.. so people want to use that money to go to the highest quality institution they can access.

I still don't see a significant financial advantage in attending a private elite university over a state flagship. The only real difference I’ve noticed is greater access to faculty (student/teacher ratio)

If your family income is less than $250,000 per year, you are not going to get a tuition bill from Princeton University if you can get yourself in there. That is what a lot of people would call a significant financial advantage.

This is what Princeton said - https://profile.princeton.edu/numbers

About 62‑percent of undergraduates receive financial aid.
Roughly 25‑30% of undergraduates pay nothing to attend, because their aid covers all costs (tuition, room, board, etc.)

However, being eligible for financial aid and actually paying nothing are two very different things. You can qualify for aid but only receive a minimal amount—like $1,000 a year—which is negligible compared to the $70,000+ total cost. In reality, it’s likely that only about a quarter of Princeton students come from low-income families. (which means three quarters of students do pay and that amount can be much higher than paying for a state flagship)

[Anonymous]

This is why university and education is considered dangerous in a fascist regime. Because it allows mixing and movement amongst social classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but if all your friends are in the broad middle class you might not notice. The categories are very large. You're probably not going to socialize with the kid who has access to a private jet and helicopters. That person will include whoever their roommates are, perhaps, but most of their circle will also be composed of rich kids who understand what that life is like.

This was my experience when I think about it. Almost all of my friends from college were middle class, skewing UMC, who grew up around major metro areas. Most from competitive public schools but a few from private. Everyone could go on a nice spring break or out to eat or go shopping for fun or whatever but no one was blowing 100k on Rodeo Drive or taking a PJ to private islands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been thinking a lot about what 'prestige' really means in college admissions. From what I’ve observed, many mc parents are fixated on elite private schools — likely because they want to feel part of an exclusive group, and are drawn to features like smaller student-to-teacher ratios. But when it comes to actual education quality, there’s no significant difference between top public and private schools. What really sets these elite institutions apart is the concentration of wealth, which creates the illusion of prestige. Ironically, though, middle-class students often can’t afford to participate in the exclusive networks and activities of their wealthier peers.

A so-called elite school can actually be cheaper because they are able to offer significant aid even to middle class students. That is absolutely one of the reasons they are so competitive. And then the financial burden of paying tuition exists for every college from the bottom to the top.. so people want to use that money to go to the highest quality institution they can access.

I still don't see a significant financial advantage in attending a private elite university over a state flagship. The only real difference I’ve noticed is greater access to faculty (student/teacher ratio)

If your family income is less than $250,000 per year, you are not going to get a tuition bill from Princeton University if you can get yourself in there. That is what a lot of people would call a significant financial advantage.

That's very generous. Who cares if you don't get to hob knob with the billionaire students. For that level of support, I think you can develop some coping skills around that.

What if being poor or middle class makes you part of a "small minority on campus"? You might not gain much from the experience if you're too busy working part-time just to afford being there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why university and education is considered dangerous in a fascist regime. Because it allows mixing and movement amongst social classes.

ha ha ha.....

[Anonymous]

Depends more on the student

[Anonymous]

My DD hangs out with her NYC private school friends, but not exclusively. These kids all knew each other before college or are otherwise connected, so it’s not surprising that this happens.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely, though somewhat college dependent. Many of the NYC private school kids already know each other from parties and social media - even before they get to college, they are setting up roommates, dirty rushing, etc. Then depending on the university, the socializing is also pretty cliquey - think of all the dining out, going to clubs, formals, etc etc. Weekends away, vacations. Pipeline from private school to the right frat /eating club to the right (and most exclusive) clubs to the right internship to the right job. Does that mean the occasional MC and poor kid isn't breaking in? Of course not - but few and far between at certain schools. If your dad is a partner at Goldman Sachs, you will attend a top NYC private and you will get into an elite university and you will be very attractive to the frats and the clubs. That's just reality. Obviously this is much more likely at Harvard and UChicago, eg, than at Amherst and JHU (no legacy at either of those two schools).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It happens….some can afford concerts, spring break trips, nicer apartments and fancy dinners out. I don’t think it completely precludes larger and more diverse friend groups, but tighter cliques do form as a result of income levels.

This already acts as a natural filter in the dating pool.

It does. Which means the dating pool for rich girls is absolutely tiny. It's euro-trash and wall street nepos. Most aren't finding happiness and a good one there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been thinking a lot about what 'prestige' really means in college admissions. From what I’ve observed, many mc parents are fixated on elite private schools — likely because they want to feel part of an exclusive group, and are drawn to features like smaller student-to-teacher ratios. But when it comes to actual education quality, there’s no significant difference between top public and private schools. What really sets these elite institutions apart is the concentration of wealth, which creates the illusion of prestige. Ironically, though, middle-class students often can’t afford to participate in the exclusive networks and activities of their wealthier peers.

A so-called elite school can actually be cheaper because they are able to offer significant aid even to middle class students. That is absolutely one of the reasons they are so competitive. And then the financial burden of paying tuition exists for every college from the bottom to the top.. so people want to use that money to go to the highest quality institution they can access.

I still don't see a significant financial advantage in attending a private elite university over a state flagship. The only real difference I’ve noticed is greater access to faculty (student/teacher ratio)

If your family income is less than $250,000 per year and you have "typical family assets," you are not going to get a tuition bill from Princeton University if you can get yourself in there. That is what a lot of people would call a significant financial advantage.

Fixed it for you. I've run the net price calculator and we would be full pay at Princeton with a HHI of $150k. Not boo-hooing having assets, but this misconception drives me crazy.