Do you identify and feel more connected with your undergrad or graduate institution?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely grad/law school. I didn't really know what I wanted when I was applying to undergrad. I went to an in state school with a fine name but I never really thought about "vibe" or "fit" and so ended up not really loving it. I follow a few people from there on social media but don't interact with any now. Law school was where I met the best people I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I could not care less about my undergraduate and graduate school - University of Maryland.

However, I'm very engaged and connected with the parent group from DD's alma mater - Baylor University. They do a great job of keeping families and alumni connected. Fun activities, local get togethers, occasional little free surprises in the mail. Stuff like that. I'm not a big sports fan, but I do keep up with Baylor's sports teams.

DS went to Grinnell and while he got a good education, the school spirit and connection with families and alumni is zilch.

I went to a SLAC like Grinnell, and although I loved it and still have some close friends from there, I feel much more connected to my grad school, which has all the “rah rah” spirit people here like to denigrate. But that stuff really travels, and it grows with you in a way the precious bubble of my undergrad didn’t. Not in some profound way, but a lot of adult life is making small talk in various low- and high-stakes situations and college football and basketball can play a big role.

[Anonymous]

Undergrad. Great, more recent friends from grad program but never walked in graduation, different vibe than living around each other ages 18-22.

At this point, feel at least as connected to my kids colleges as either of mine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Undergrad. Great, more recent friends from grad program but never walked in graduation, different vibe than living around each other ages 18-22.

At this point, feel at least as connected to my kids colleges as either of mine

I feel connected to my son’s college also. During the move-in time each year , I love to walk around the campus and soak it all in and the surrounding towns.

[Anonymous]

Mixed feelings. Went to a very small undergrad, didn't feel very connected to it socially but it is nice to know so many people from then and it had strong academics. I wanted to like it more.

I feel more connected to grad because much more famous and much better network and better experience overall with being financially independent from parents and being more mature and knowing myself, but so much bigger and impersonal.

[Anonymous]

Undergrad. I had an incredible experience at a great school with a lot of spirit. Many of my b-school classmates thought it was the be all and end all as it is a very prestigious school, but I was very meh. Perhaps that's why I didn't get as much out of that experience.

[Anonymous]

Undergrad is what matters.

First time most live away from home and it’s a formative time. Four years living close with friends, socializing.

My grad school was very professionalized. Two years went by quick- and I felt grown-up by then. Worked too. It wasn’t care-free like undergrad.

Nowadays with so many online grad programs from top universities- it’s diminished.

[Anonymous]

Equal connection. I went to a T20 undergrad and T14 law school, but one of the lower-tier versions of each. Nevertheless, I am extremely grateful that each school took a shot with me. Love the school that loves you back and what not. Anyhow, I got a great education, made great friends, had great professors, and had a great time (at least before I made law review in law school).

That all said, I'm mostly closer to friends from law school than undergrad these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Undergrad is what matters.

First time most live away from home and it’s a formative time. Four years living close with friends, socializing.

My grad school was very professionalized. Two years went by quick- and I felt grown-up by then. Worked too. It wasn’t care-free like undergrad.

Nowadays with so many online grad programs from top universities- it’s diminished.

Not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Undergrad hands down (Dartmouth). For grad school, students didn’t live on campus and the pre-professional nature of it made students more focused on taking care of business than socializing.

[Anonymous]

Undergrad for sure. Was active in clubs, sorority, sports, still have close friends 20 years later. Law school was total opposite. I lived in the dorm for law school my first year but never made any friends - like not even a Facebook friend - or had any study groups or anything, and then I commuted my second two years. It was just not a good fit for me but I wanted to be closer to home bc my dad got a heart transplant.

[Anonymous]

GRAD SCHOOL!! No question. Undergrad was fine but I met my best friends in law school.

[Anonymous]

Interesting question!

I met my husband in undergrad and it’s a close-knit school (some may describe it as a “tribe”) so very dear to my heart. It gives me a strong sense of place and belonging when I return to campus.

I also feel strong ties to my law school, which was at a much larger institution with big sports, school spirit, and great college town. Still really close with many of my law school classmates too.

I feel really fortunate to have had both experiences!

[Anonymous]

my two grads school

I did not particularly like my undergrad. it wasnt' the best fit for me

[Anonymous]

Grad