Moms who went to public schools

[Anonymous]

I went to public high school, a state university, and a state graduate institution. (zero undergraduate debt, little graduate debt.) I love my career. I work with a number of people who were privately/ivy educated and we have the SAME job with the SAME pay. My DH was privately educated and he also has a great career. I think much depends on the person and choices along the way.

[Anonymous]

I'm a product of public schools here in the DC metro area. Got into the undergrad school of my choice, graduated in the top 1% and continued on to graduate school. My career is awesome and I have no regrets about my schooling.

[Anonymous]

these are great stories.

[Anonymous]

I didn't go to a la-de-da expensive private school, but good ol' Fairfax Co. school.

I was accepted early admissions at the first school of my choice, graduated with honors, and had a gratifying successful career for a major company.

I think it is all relative in terms of satisfaction and comparing poster A's success to poster's B's success is like comparing apples and oranges.

[Anonymous]

I went to a private high school, elite college and am floundering in my career.
My husband went to a crummy public high school, a state university, Hopkins for med school, residency/fellowship of his choosing and is doing fabulously.

[Anonymous]

I went to public elementary, middle, and high school. Then went to elite private university for college. Then went to state university for law school. I am doing OK in my career. I have made decisions which were not career enhancing (but also not career enders) in order to compromise with my spouse's career and b/c I have a child. I think doing "ok" is b/c of the choices I have made, not b/c of where I went to school.

[Anonymous]

I went to a small, rural public high school. (Private school? Where would you find one of those even if you could afford it?) I was accepted into Harvard, but I couldn't afford the tuition. I just applied for my self-esteem. I kept the admission letter for years (mostly while attending a small state college.) I agree with the other posters, success is helped by a good start but made by a lot of hard work and luck.

[Anonymous]

I went to a DC public high school. I attended UVa undergrad and for grad school. I have worked at some top tier consulting firms and now work for a smaller firm. As far as I can tell, I have made out OK.

[Anonymous]

I went to average public schools in the midwest. In high school, I really took advantage of AP offerings, summer programs, etc. and worked a lot harder than was "required" there. I feel that I got a very good education and was well prepared to succeed in college (attended a private religious college on full scholarship and was the first woman in my family to receive a college degree). Later I went to an elite grad school, also on scholarship, and feel it was a great investment that got me into a career that I love. But a lot depended on me pushing myself and doing my own research to get to where I wanted to be. Most of the people I went to high school with did not go this route, but the few of us that really worked hard and took advantage of the programs we were offered have done very well for ourselves. I will say that the connections and status of my graduate program did make a difference in my career. I also have worked a bit with teenagers in DC public schools, some from low-income families who really don't have the connections or know the right steps to help them prepare for college or careers. It makes such a big difference to have parents or other adults in your life who can help you with your studies, guide you to explore your options, prepare for college entrance exams and applications, introduce you to people who have careers you might be interested in, etc. In my opinion, one advantage of "elite" schools is that you do have those people around you (teachers, guidance counselors,etc.) who know how to help you get where you want to go. That is something that my parents, teachers, and counselors couldn't really help me with. But all these amazing moms who've posted so far will I'm sure be in a good position to help their children make goals and explore their options, regardless of whether they go to public or private school. I plan for my children to attend public schools, but I also hope I can provide them a lot more guidance and "extracurricular" experiences than my parents were able to give me.

[Anonymous]

I went to a top notch D.C. area private school where I graduated near the top of my class and went onto a very prestigious university. I did okay there, but not stellar or even great, imo. I work a mid-level job that is okay, and make a decent, but not great salary.

My husband went to an area high school and dropped out senior year. He went on to attend a small liberal arts college starting at 24 and graduated in 3 years. In the 6 years since he graduated college, he has taken a great job in sales (that he loves) at a Fortune 100 company and makes 2.5 times my annual salary.

[Anonymous]

Mediocre public school (never even been on the Newsweek rank of 1200 schools). Zero connections.

Very good private college, top tier graduate schools.

Had an interesting if not super-well-paid career before staying home with kids.

[Anonymous]

Top tier professional schools matter. That is, law, medicine, business. Better connections that matter. That is the last step in the formal education process, and that is where you launch from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Top tier professional schools matter. That is, law, medicine, business. Better connections that matter. That is the last step in the formal education process, and that is where you launch from.

Couldn't agree more.
DH went to Mont Co. ok school.
Ok private ugrad.
Ok first couple of jobs.
Next came top tier profess. school.
Excellent job opportunties followed and followed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top tier professional schools matter. That is, law, medicine, business. Better connections that matter. That is the last step in the formal education process, and that is where you launch from.

Couldn't agree more.
DH went to Mont Co. ok school.
Ok private ugrad.
Ok first couple of jobs.
Next came top tier profess. school.
Excellent job opportunties followed and followed.

Agree too. I went to an Ivy medical school and wouldn't have gotten the job I have if I'd graduated from a mediocre school. Boss told me as much.

[Anonymous]

yes, but it is usually difficult to get into a top tier professional school without really good grades from your undergrad (however mediocre it was), or at least doing really well somehow on the GMAT, LSAT or MCAT, and that means you were pretty smart anyway if you just have the latter.