Why do getting into elite universities even matter at this point?

[Anonymous]

I’m south Asian and went to a top 15 SLAC. I’m pushing my kids towards a state school. I’m not in stem, but I know that for engineering and the hard sciences, those schools will offer the best value, as well as a great college experience. I also know they’ll be fine if they pursue a non stem career, as I did.

[Anonymous]

Look, I think it is indisputable that most people at these companies don't go to "elite" schools. That doesn't mean they aren't a disproportionate share from those schools and that going to an Ivy doesn't make it considerably easier. Not to mention the quality of the programs, which are good (equals but does not exceed top state schools at most).

My perspective as a DCPS + ivy grad and tech worker

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious, because I am of an Asian descent and when I was applying to universities 15 years I already knew I would not get into any Ivys due to racial discrimination despite near perfect SAT scores and a full stack of AP 5 scores, national merit and EC. Most of my friends were in the same boat, so we said f it, we just go engineering/STEM at a state school, We'll make more.

The case is even more true today than it was 15 years ago. Moreover, most STEM isn't even competitive today due to the mismatch of supply and demand. Outside of maybe chemical engineering and computer science, the average college salary is lower than that of trades. You make more as a carpenter, electrician or heck even general contractor than most college majors, without going into 6 figures worth of debt.

My grandparents were professors, my parents had masters degrees, I only have an undergrad and I am seriously debating if my kids should even go to college at this point. You don't need a CS degree from Stanford to get a good developer job, a year of coding academies is enough in most cases.

If you went to an elite school, you wouldn’t have written this post. Do better for your kids. They are trusting you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The average CS salary out of UC is $80,000. I don’t know if these people receive stock grants and signing on bonuses. The few ivy CS grad total compensations
out of college i’ve seen approach $200,000.

now this is trolling

Go to level fyi - you can see entry level salaries, stock options, signings on bonuses. For FAANG or equivalents, the entry level total compensation approach $200,000. A few actual numbers i’ve seen for new ivy grads are consistent with level fyi. Now, what I am not certain is what type of grads are hired for these positions. I am pretty sure not all ivy CS grads are hired at $200,000. I am also pretty sure many of these positions are filled by state university grads simply because 99.5% of all college grads are non-ivies. Maybe someone with IT experience in hiring can explain better.

No, it’s not. My spouse works for one of these. Most are not from ivys.

Most are not from ivies. That’s given since 99.5 % college grads are not from ivy +. The Q was, what type of grads land these roles? I am pretty sure these companies do not recruit at local CCs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally get what your saying. If you go to a lesser ranked school or do a coding bootcamp, you can get a job in tech. Noone is denying this. However, there isn't the developed pipeline from CS departments to top tech companies/ grad programs that exists at top universities. Take Berkeley for example. According to their CS class of 2017 career survey, 8% of respondents were working at Amazon and another 11% were working at Google. If you pass your classes at these programs, you are guaranteed a great job in tech. This just simply isn't the case at lesser known schools. Companies actively seek Cal,Stanford,etc grads while you will need to work really hard to get an interview. Its doable, but thats just the unfortunate reality.

Hum no. Have you done an interview at one of these companies. It’s not easy to get a job and many, some of whom would be good get denied. My spouse went to a no name school. Stop making up stuff.

No name grads would have to work harder cuz they have more to prove. Would you have married your spouse if s/he had a salary to match his no-name school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The value of going to college is about how to think critically and broaden your views. You don’t need to get a BS to learn programming, just like a carpenter doesn’t need to go to Stanford to figure out how to hammer a nail.

This exactly. I felt that college and grad school helped me develop into who I am. It is not so much about specific skills. College helped my writing and analytical skills tremendously. Grad school at an Ivy - I was around some amazing people and that was an irreplaceable experience to me. Life is about so much more than $$. And I come from a middle class family. I met my husband in grad school and we are a great match intellectually and emotionally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious, because I am of an Asian descent and when I was applying to universities 15 years I already knew I would not get into any Ivys due to racial discrimination despite near perfect SAT scores and a full stack of AP 5 scores, national merit and EC. Most of my friends were in the same boat, so we said f it, we just go engineering/STEM at a state school, We'll make more.

The case is even more true today than it was 15 years ago. Moreover, most STEM isn't even competitive today due to the mismatch of supply and demand. Outside of maybe chemical engineering and computer science, the average college salary is lower than that of trades. You make more as a carpenter, electrician or heck even general contractor than most college majors, without going into 6 figures worth of debt.

My grandparents were professors, my parents had masters degrees, I only have an undergrad and I am seriously debating if my kids should even go to college at this point. You don't need a CS degree from Stanford to get a good developer job, a year of coding academies is enough in most cases.

Sure, for an entry level job, but without a BS and possible an MS, you will have a ceiling that is COLA - entry level salary. That is fine if you are 18-26, but do you want that same salary when you are 45 or 55?

[Anonymous]

Elite universities are hardly the big thing they used to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Elite universities are hardly the big thing they used to be.

That’s what everybody who didn’t attend one thinks. But how exactly would you know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elite universities are hardly the big thing they used to be.

That’s what everybody who didn’t attend one thinks. But how exactly would you know?

+1

PP knows only what s/he knows. S/he doesn't know what s/he doesn’t know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Elite universities are hardly the big thing they used to be.

That’s what everybody who didn’t attend one thinks. But how exactly would you know? To start, FA at elites are so much better that going to state unis. For great many people, states are MORE expensive than ivies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elite universities are hardly the big thing they used to be.

That’s what everybody who didn’t attend one thinks. But how exactly would you know?

Don't you work with people from all different colleges? I do.

[Anonymous]

I do think we’ll start seeing a trend where kids of the elites don’t go to college. You’re already seeing this start in Silicone Valley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elite universities are hardly the big thing they used to be.

That’s what everybody who didn’t attend one thinks. But how exactly would you know?

As someone who has two ivy degrees and one state school degree, there is virtually no difference between attending a public school ranked 80th and a private school ranked 5th for MOST majors.

[Anonymous]

The prestige of the school never mattered as much as many immigrant parents and many posters to DCUM believe.