Where you go to college doesn’t matter. What you do when you get there does!

[Anonymous]

You are not middle class and big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t explain the obsession with “prestige “ either, or the obsession with using salary as the only measure of success. I genuinely enjoyed my IVY education. It gave me a much bigger world to play in, and was definitely a factor in my admission to a very small PhD program straight out of undergrad. Obviously YMMV, as well as your values.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people are eager to attribute their successes to their alma mater instead of their own abilities. You got into the PhD program because of what you did with your 'IVY' education, not because it was an 'IVY' education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t explain the obsession with “prestige “ either, or the obsession with using salary as the only measure of success. I genuinely enjoyed my IVY education. It gave me a much bigger world to play in, and was definitely a factor in my admission to a very small PhD program straight out of undergrad. Obviously YMMV, as well as your values.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people are eager to attribute their successes to their alma mater instead of their own abilities. You got into the PhD program because of what you did with your 'IVY' education, not because it was an 'IVY' education.

Pp couldn't get a good job snd make money, hence keep going to school and spending money

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have seen this, but it’s not irreparable. I think it’s because this area emphasizes grades and academic enrichment when kids are in school over practical experience. My own kids were at a loss regarding how to find a job, write a resume and cover letter, or even having a sense of why a firm would want to hire them. From their perspective, they had no job-specific skills. I had to convince them that most jobs are learned at the firm, but they are the raw material. Show up, ask questions, work hard, suggest solutions, and take responsibility. They’re all now doing fine.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ivy League lit major works the the PE firm which owns our company. She is 23 and probably makes $200k+ a year. LOTS of companies just hire smart people. Would they hire a Literature major from Maryland or William & Mary, no, but get your degree from Princeton and be ambitious and nothing is unattainable.

Wrong English majors are in high demand.

They can write.

My DD VT English major out of college six figures .

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?233921-Virginia-Polytechnic-Institute-and-State-University&fos_code=2301&fos_credential=3

VT English $41,550

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?166027-Harvard-University&fos_code=2301&fos_credential=3

Harvard English $43842

We go by real data

VT English is actually not bad compared to Harvard lol

I’d like to see the data for the median earnings of students who were forced by their overbearing and controlling parents to major in a subject in which they had no interest or aptitude. Then I’d like to know how happy they are.

I’ve worked with a lot of these folks. They tend to not enjoy their jobs and not be the best performers. They seem to have a sense of duty to their parents, so they stay when they would rather be doing something else. They end up as mid level cubicle dwellers.

I always love seeing one of them leave to do something that energizes them.

[Anonymous]

You are absolutely right. Then again, I went to a "non-prestigious" college then went on to graduate school at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Guess which one has always been raised in job interviews and which one is ignored. It's stupid since I received an equal education at both but so it goes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are absolutely right. Then again, I went to a "non-prestigious" college then went on to graduate school at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Guess which one has always been raised in job interviews and which one is ignored. It's stupid since I received an equal education at both but so it goes.

no need to spend more $$$ and time for grad school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are absolutely right. Then again, I went to a "non-prestigious" college then went on to graduate school at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Guess which one has always been raised in job interviews and which one is ignored. It's stupid since I received an equal education at both but so it goes.

no need to spend more $$$ and time for grad school

Well, if it’s something like law school, then prestige is a must.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ivy League lit major works the the PE firm which owns our company. She is 23 and probably makes $200k+ a year. LOTS of companies just hire smart people. Would they hire a Literature major from Maryland or William & Mary, no, but get your degree from Princeton and be ambitious and nothing is unattainable.

Wrong English majors are in high demand.

They can write.

My DD VT English major out of college six figures .

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?233921-Virginia-Polytechnic-Institute-and-State-University&fos_code=2301&fos_credential=3

VT English $41,550

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?166027-Harvard-University&fos_code=2301&fos_credential=3

Harvard English $43842

We go by real data

VT English is actually not bad compared to Harvard lol

I’d like to see the data for the median earnings of students who were forced by their overbearing and controlling parents to major in a subject in which they had no interest or aptitude. Then I’d like to know how happy they are.

I’ve worked with a lot of these folks. They tend to not enjoy their jobs and not be the best performers. They seem to have a sense of duty to their parents, so they stay when they would rather be doing something else. They end up as mid level cubicle dwellers.

I always love seeing one of them leave to do something that energizes them.

Mid-level cubicle dweller at FAANG > starving artist or writer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Sorry, but I've personally witnessed job candidates have doors open at the sight of the Ivy name on their resume. In multiple different fields.

The brand value is real, and wishing it weren't so doesn't change reality.

+1, places where comparative lit majors land on their feet. Generic state school is where these majors are worthlesss.

Median Social Studies major at Harvard makes $52k/year. Not exactly “landing on their feet”

Probably teaches at a private and relies on family money to supplement income.

+1

It is amazing how people can live satisfying lives when they don't have to worry over a mortgage or rent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I genuinely don’t understand the obsession on this board over the Ivies and prestige. Where you go to college doesn’t matter. It’s what you do when you get there that matters most!

I live in a suburb of the DMV that is “DCUM MC” (most families around me have a HHI ~$300-400k — enough for the upper middle class basics, but not enough for our kids to take rely on us when they’re adults). I’ve seen SO many kids go to elite schools and then flail after graduation because they made the wrong moves in college.

Example 1: A neighbor’s son graduated from MIT recently as a Bio major. He had a low GPA due to MIT’s intense, tough courses. Got shut out of every med school he applied to and now is working a minimum wage lab tech job.

Example 2: A

So, heed your own advice, OP - and stop worrying about where other people go to college. Done. And done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are absolutely right. Then again, I went to a "non-prestigious" college then went on to graduate school at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Guess which one has always been raised in job interviews and which one is ignored. It's stupid since I received an equal education at both but so it goes.

no need to spend more $$$ and time for grad school

Well, if it’s something like law school, then prestige is a must.

Or, at least do NOT bother with the bottom of the barrel law schools - or you will spend your life being bitter on those who attended top schools. Word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Sorry, but I've personally witnessed job candidates have doors open at the sight of the Ivy name on their resume. In multiple different fields.

The brand value is real, and wishing it weren't so doesn't change reality.

Where you go to college can and does matter. No doubt about that. Now you can screw that up and you can go somewhere not as great ad have a great outcome. All of those things can be true together.

As to your first story ---- could be true -- of course you do not see what is going on fully. Second story is only true if the kid did not want a job right away or if they are at the bottom of their class. At an Ivy I would let a kid major in whatever they wanted because it is the major that does not matter. But you also can't be at the bottom. The Comp lit major with great grades can go anywhere on Wall Street if she/he wants to; any law school; really any job that they want. Can't say the same for a Comp Lit major at Towson (which is also a good school).

It matters but you can screw it up and you ca get where you want to go without it just a bit harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are absolutely right. Then again, I went to a "non-prestigious" college then went on to graduate school at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Guess which one has always been raised in job interviews and which one is ignored. It's stupid since I received an equal education at both but so it goes.

Sure but that does not mean there is no difference. There is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Sorry, but I've personally witnessed job candidates have doors open at the sight of the Ivy name on their resume. In multiple different fields.

The brand value is real, and wishing it weren't so doesn't change reality.

Where you go to college can and does matter. No doubt about that. Now you can screw that up and you can go somewhere not as great ad have a great outcome. All of those things can be true together.

As to your first story ---- could be true -- of course you do not see what is going on fully. Second story is only true if the kid did not want a job right away or if they are at the bottom of their class. At an Ivy I would let a kid major in whatever they wanted because it is the major that does not matter. But you also can't be at the bottom. The Comp lit major with great grades can go anywhere on Wall Street if she/he wants to; any law school; really any job that they want. Can't say the same for a Comp Lit major at Towson (which is also a good school).

It matters but you can screw it up and you ca get where you want to go without it just a bit harder.

My DD graduated from an Ivy with a degree in Comp lit and good grades but still jobless since May '22.