The Dark Side of the Ivy League: Prestige & The Cost of Success

[Anonymous]

Watch the video. They talk about how the fraternities have access to exams, how the connected and influential students already have internships and jobs lined up, they technically don’t even need to be at the college.. they already KNOW they are set. Also mentioned is the professors are not helpful as they are trying to make tenure.. environment is toxic and students are not supportive.

[Anonymous]

They aren't great places for a first generation college student. Those kids are completely lost.

[Anonymous]

What net worth is necessary to be considered of privilege on an Ivy campus? Or what are the other markers of these so-called privileged few?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What net worth is necessary to be considered of privilege on an Ivy campus? Or what are the other markers of these so-called privileged few?

It isn’t net worth per se, but being connected in the right way. It’s likely that you have high net worth if you’re connected, but you can be worth $5-$10 million and just have been lucky in the stock market. The latter doesn’t count because it’s just money - no expertise, no connections, and no pedigree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not listening to 45minutes of rambling. Is there a thesis?

It’s two wannabe influencers going “wah wah, I’m so privileged!” Give me a break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What net worth is necessary to be considered of privilege on an Ivy campus? Or what are the other markers of these so-called privileged few?

It isn’t net worth per se, but being connected in the right way. It’s likely that you have high net worth if you’re connected, but you can be worth $5-$10 million and just have been lucky in the stock market. The latter doesn’t count because it’s just money - no expertise, no connections, and no pedigree.

Very few kids who are not already at least UMC+ and beyond go to a T20 and come out connected to making millions from that alone. The kids who seem connected were already connected because of their families, not the university they attended

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not listening to 45minutes of rambling. Is there a thesis?

It’s two wannabe influencers going “wah wah, I’m so privileged!” Give me a break.

This is so dumb! I know several financial aid and first gen kids at Ivies having great college experiences. If this is even true, it's a very small few

[Anonymous]

Frats at MIT had old exams in the 60s.
I wish I had gone to office hours, though.

[Anonymous]

I’m so confused why this sounds appealing to anyone, during college or beyond.

[Anonymous]

The world is a corrupt place. That does not change if you go to an ivy league institution or any where else. Did you not learn this lesson? Maybe you should have gone to a better school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“The Ivy League Is a Game Within a Game” — Key Takeaways

Game Zero:
Getting into the Ivy League isn’t the finish line — it’s only the starting gate.

A Game Within the Game:
Once on campus, there’s an invisible layer of privilege and insider knowledge.
Some students “move differently” because they’ve grown up around these systems.

Elitism Is Real:
Legacy students and the well-connected often already know how to navigate professors, requirements, and opportunities.

Everyone Feels Lost at First:
Even the smartest kids feel like they’re drowning the first two years. That’s normal — what matters is how fast you learn the system.

Go to Office Hours:
Professors actually expect it. Show up, ask questions, and build relationships early.

Use Information Strategically:
Savvy students find old tests, course syllabi, and grading patterns before registering.
They don’t waste time in the wrong classes.

Network Intentionally:

Join Greek life if it fits you — it’s social capital.

Join career-relevant clubs to meet upper-class students who know how internships really work.

Protect Your Integrity:
If you’re caught in academic dishonesty, it’s devastating.
Wealthier peers may lawyer up — you probably can’t. Don’t risk it.

Check Your Motives:
Ask yourself: What brand are you chasing, and why?
The Ivy name isn’t the goal; what you build with it is.

ok but this doesn't sound like anything dark

Agree. That’s for clicks. The real thesis seems to be that just getting into or graduating from an Ivy isn’t a golden ticket. The golden ticket seems to be learning the system and using the resources to get you where you want to go. Of course, you have to know where you want to go or at least choose a starting point.

Saw an ad for this podcast on IG. Clicked the link and remembered this thread.

Agree with the bolded. I do think that's why holistic admissions favors extroverted kids, who connect things (people, ideas, themes, etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The world is a corrupt place. That does not change if you go to an ivy league institution or any where else. Did you not learn this lesson? Maybe you should have gone to a better school.

This. The wealthy have it easier in all aspects of life. It sucks. Not sure why Americans are fine with unfettered capitalism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What net worth is necessary to be considered of privilege on an Ivy campus? Or what are the other markers of these so-called privileged few?

It isn’t net worth per se, but being connected in the right way. It’s likely that you have high net worth if you’re connected, but you can be worth $5-$10 million and just have been lucky in the stock market. The latter doesn’t count because it’s just money - no expertise, no connections, and no pedigree.

+1, especially when you are aiming for pre-med.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The world is a corrupt place. That does not change if you go to an ivy league institution or any where else. Did you not learn this lesson? Maybe you should have gone to a better school.

Looking back through human history, the same pattern repeats itself: wealth always ends up concentrated in the hands of a few, while the rest — talented or not — survive largely by luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The world is a corrupt place. That does not change if you go to an ivy league institution or any where else. Did you not learn this lesson? Maybe you should have gone to a better school.

This. The wealthy have it easier in all aspects of life. It sucks. Not sure why Americans are fine with unfettered capitalism

It’s not just a problem in the U.S. — it’s a global issue now. The majority of people are barely getting by.