Elite colleges matter less that you think

[Anonymous]

DC attended one of the top “Big 3” DC private schools where something like 15-20% of the students were from lower SES families. It has always been important for us to make sure our DC understood how others lived. DC interacted with kids from lower SES families in school, on teams at school events and in social media. Despite this persistent interaction, DC’s closest and most enduring friendships are with children (now young adults) from families of comparable SES status (though various ethnicities). As DC moved on to college at an Ivy the new friends again all seem to be from comparable SES families. Those of low SES seem to be practically invisible to the groups DC is closest to. The thing that bothers me is that I know there are plenty of students form low SES backgrounds at the school, but DC just doesn’t seem to have opportunities to connect outside of class or structured events.

I’d be interested in hearing from those who have a child that has succeeded in developing a close and enduring friendship with ANYONE from a family of dramatically different social economic status. How did it happen?

[Anonymous]

This argument will never die. The facts are, we all know Ivy grads who never reached their career goals and others from the U. of Nowhere who did great things. There is no silver bullet that is going to get you through life unscathed. I know Ivy MBAs out of work - it's not like there is a halo over their head.

But an Ivy League does help with one thing - if you want to be a Supreme Court justice or President of the United States or head of Goldman Sachs, that is the union card. Seriously, nobody from the University of Kentucky law school is gong to be a Supreme Court justice, no matter how brilliant they are. If Obama never transferred out of Occidental College, would he be president? Noooo. If Geitner had graduated from U. of Wisconsin, would he have been Secretary of the Treasury? Noooo.

But so few people EVER make it to these jobs, no matter where they went to school or who their parents were that nobody can pick a school and seriously hope to get there.

[Anonymous]

Bottom line: there's a hierarchy in this world. If I went ivy, I got a better education than you. My luxury car is better than your Ford. My exotic vacation is better than your day at a nearby beach. My million dollar bank account is better than your overdrawn one.

It is what it is .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's true. When I hire, I don't look at GPA and sometimes being Ivy league makes me less interested in hiring the person. I'd rather get a scrappy Big Ten grad who I know will put in the time with the low level work to learn, vs an ivy league kid who is spoiled (not that this holds true for every big ten or ivy grad).

Oh you sound like a brilliant hiring manager. That chip on your shoulder is affecting your brain function.

+1. Wonder if PP always bases her hiring decisions on tired stereotypes.

Haha. I agree. I'm a college career director and I always tell applicants to avoid the HR people and try to work their way around them because some of them have the same dumb ideas as this poster. Oh, let me just hire the dumbest people I can and certainly avoid hiring any Ivy grads...because they are probably too smart and I'd be threatened. I hope this was a troll poster because I can't imagine anyone that pathetic and envious.

Go around HR? I don't think HR would be the ones with those issues. I'd think HR would gladly pass the resume along to the hiring managers. It's the hiring managers who are more likely to be afraid of bringing the smarter, more impressive guy onto his turf. Instant threat.

I LOVE this speculative chit chat demonstrating that those commenting know next to nothing about the hiring process as it applies to high power jobs.

As a college career director I'm certain you know much less about 'high powered' jobs than I do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's true. When I hire, I don't look at GPA and sometimes being Ivy league makes me less interested in hiring the person. I'd rather get a scrappy Big Ten grad who I know will put in the time with the low level work to learn, vs an ivy league kid who is spoiled (not that this holds true for every big ten or ivy grad).

Oh you sound like a brilliant hiring manager. That chip on your shoulder is affecting your brain function.

+1. Wonder if PP always bases her hiring decisions on tired stereotypes.

Haha. I agree. I'm a college career director and I always tell applicants to avoid the HR people and try to work their way around them because some of them have the same dumb ideas as this poster. Oh, let me just hire the dumbest people I can and certainly avoid hiring any Ivy grads...because they are probably too smart and I'd be threatened. I hope this was a troll poster because I can't imagine anyone that pathetic and envious.

Go around HR? I don't think HR would be the ones with those issues. I'd think HR would gladly pass the resume along to the hiring managers. It's the hiring managers who are more likely to be afraid of bringing the smarter, more impressive guy onto his turf. Instant threat.

I LOVE this speculative chit chat demonstrating that those commenting know next to nothing about the hiring process as it applies to high power jobs.

Stop with the defensive Ivy bashing, and instead start tossing around management consultant-speak terms like "mindsets" that refer to applicants' actual personality traits. Then maybe we'll feel more respect for your hiring talents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bottom line: there's a hierarchy in this world. If I went ivy, I got a better education than you. My luxury car is better than your Ford. My exotic vacation is better than your day at a nearby beach. My million dollar bank account is better than your overdrawn one.

It is what it is .

Sure. But the point is that you don't have to go to an ivy league school to get a job where you will eventually make millions of dollars. Isn't that what everyone is saying in this thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's true. When I hire, I don't look at GPA and sometimes being Ivy league makes me less interested in hiring the person. I'd rather get a scrappy Big Ten grad who I know will put in the time with the low level work to learn, vs an ivy league kid who is spoiled (not that this holds true for every big ten or ivy grad).

Oh you sound like a brilliant hiring manager. That chip on your shoulder is affecting your brain function.

+1. Wonder if PP always bases her hiring decisions on tired stereotypes.

Haha. I agree. I'm a college career director and I always tell applicants to avoid the HR people and try to work their way around them because some of them have the same dumb ideas as this poster. Oh, let me just hire the dumbest people I can and certainly avoid hiring any Ivy grads...because they are probably too smart and I'd be threatened. I hope this was a troll poster because I can't imagine anyone that pathetic and envious.

Go around HR? I don't think HR would be the ones with those issues. I'd think HR would gladly pass the resume along to the hiring managers. It's the hiring managers who are more likely to be afraid of bringing the smarter, more impressive guy onto his turf. Instant threat.

I LOVE this speculative chit chat demonstrating that those commenting know next to nothing about the hiring process as it applies to high power jobs.

As a college career director I'm certain you know much less about 'high powered' jobs than I do.

HA! Do you REALLY think ANYONE is hired into a "high powered" job out of college? That is referred to as ENTRY LEVEL. I'm talking C-Suite jobs. No one questions the contention that strong college pedigree helps in obtaining ENTRY LEVEL jobs (which is what you, as a college career director, handle), the point is that one's educational credentials have diminishing value as they build a career track record. By the time it comes to C-Suite, Partnership, Managing Director hiring those credentials are nothing more than a PLUS factor.

In my experience, positions in the administration of colleges (e.g., college career director) are full of frustrated professionals who can't understand why their educational pedigree hasn't taken them further.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bottom line: there's a hierarchy in this world. If I went ivy, I got a better education than you. My luxury car is better than your Ford. My exotic vacation is better than your day at a nearby beach. My million dollar bank account is better than your overdrawn one.

It is what it is .

Sure. But the point is that you don't have to go to an ivy league school to get a job where you will eventually make millions of dollars. Isn't that what everyone is saying in this thread?

Of course. I'm not the first PP, but I think she was responding to the turn this thread took, which was a deep dive into the traditional Ivy bashing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

HA! Do you REALLY think ANYONE is hired into a "high powered" job out of college? That is referred to as ENTRY LEVEL. I'm talking C-Suite jobs. No one questions the contention that strong college pedigree helps in obtaining ENTRY LEVEL jobs (which is what you, as a college career director, handle), the point is that one's educational credentials have diminishing value as they build a career track record. By the time it comes to C-Suite, Partnership, Managing Director hiring those credentials are nothing more than a PLUS factor.

In my experience, positions in the administration of colleges (e.g., college career director) are full of frustrated professionals who can't understand why their educational pedigree hasn't taken them further.

Different PP here, not the college career person. You are cray cray!

Or, you think your "clever" and you can change the subject around and "nobody will notice" and then we'll stop ragging on your sheer stupidity for the "I won't hire Ivy grads" comment. I'm here to call you on this BS. Nobody suggested that an Ivy degree is a ticket for life, anywhere in this thread. Instead, let's be clear: you're getting beaten up because everybody is responding to your stupid comment that you wouldn't hire Ivy grads for all these "high powered" positions you supposedly control.

Geez. It's scary to think that someone as dense and blinkered as you is in charge of hiring "high powered" managers. Then again, all the evidence (your writing style, your sheer ignorance) point to the conclusion that you're lying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

HA! Do you REALLY think ANYONE is hired into a "high powered" job out of college? That is referred to as ENTRY LEVEL. I'm talking C-Suite jobs. No one questions the contention that strong college pedigree helps in obtaining ENTRY LEVEL jobs (which is what you, as a college career director, handle), the point is that one's educational credentials have diminishing value as they build a career track record. By the time it comes to C-Suite, Partnership, Managing Director hiring those credentials are nothing more than a PLUS factor.

In my experience, positions in the administration of colleges (e.g., college career director) are full of frustrated professionals who can't understand why their educational pedigree hasn't taken them further.

Different PP here, not the college career person. You are cray cray!

Or, you think your "clever" and you can change the subject around and "nobody will notice" and then we'll stop ragging on your sheer stupidity for the "I won't hire Ivy grads" comment. I'm here to call you on this BS. Nobody suggested that an Ivy degree is a ticket for life, anywhere in this thread. Instead, let's be clear: you're getting beaten up because everybody is responding to your stupid comment that you wouldn't hire Ivy grads for all these "high powered" positions you supposedly control.

Geez. It's scary to think that someone as dense and blinkered as you is in charge of hiring "high powered" managers. Then again, all the evidence (your writing style, your sheer ignorance) point to the conclusion that you're lying.

^^ you're, obviously. Typing too fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

HA! Do you REALLY think ANYONE is hired into a "high powered" job out of college? That is referred to as ENTRY LEVEL. I'm talking C-Suite jobs. No one questions the contention that strong college pedigree helps in obtaining ENTRY LEVEL jobs (which is what you, as a college career director, handle), the point is that one's educational credentials have diminishing value as they build a career track record. By the time it comes to C-Suite, Partnership, Managing Director hiring those credentials are nothing more than a PLUS factor.

In my experience, positions in the administration of colleges (e.g., college career director) are full of frustrated professionals who can't understand why their educational pedigree hasn't taken them further.

Different PP here, not the college career person. You are cray cray!

Or, you think your "clever" and you can change the subject around and "nobody will notice" and then we'll stop ragging on your sheer stupidity for the "I won't hire Ivy grads" comment. I'm here to call you on this BS. Nobody suggested that an Ivy degree is a ticket for life, anywhere in this thread. Instead, let's be clear: you're getting beaten up because everybody is responding to your stupid comment that you wouldn't hire Ivy grads for all these "high powered" positions you supposedly control.

Geez. It's scary to think that someone as dense and blinkered as you is in charge of hiring "high powered" managers. Then again, all the evidence (your writing style, your sheer ignorance) point to the conclusion that you're lying.

Here is direct quote I responded to: As a college career director I'm certain you know much less about 'high powered' jobs than I do.[i]

Do you not see that as implying that PP thinks her position as "a college career director" gives her insight into hiring for 'high powered' jobs? That is what I responded to.

PS: Please excuse my "writing style" http://www.grammar-monster.com/easily_confused/youre_your.htm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

HA! Do you REALLY think ANYONE is hired into a "high powered" job out of college? That is referred to as ENTRY LEVEL. I'm talking C-Suite jobs. No one questions the contention that strong college pedigree helps in obtaining ENTRY LEVEL jobs (which is what you, as a college career director, handle), the point is that one's educational credentials have diminishing value as they build a career track record. By the time it comes to C-Suite, Partnership, Managing Director hiring those credentials are nothing more than a PLUS factor.

In my experience, positions in the administration of colleges (e.g., college career director) are full of frustrated professionals who can't understand why their educational pedigree hasn't taken them further.

Different PP here, not the college career person. You are cray cray!

Or, you think your "clever" and you can change the subject around and "nobody will notice" and then we'll stop ragging on your sheer stupidity for the "I won't hire Ivy grads" comment. I'm here to call you on this BS. Nobody suggested that an Ivy degree is a ticket for life, anywhere in this thread. Instead, let's be clear: you're getting beaten up because everybody is responding to your stupid comment that you wouldn't hire Ivy grads for all these "high powered" positions you supposedly control.

Geez. It's scary to think that someone as dense and blinkered as you is in charge of hiring "high powered" managers. Then again, all the evidence (your writing style, your sheer ignorance) point to the conclusion that you're lying.

Here is direct quote I responded to: As a college career director I'm certain you know much less about 'high powered' jobs than I do.[i]

Do you not see that as implying that PP thinks her position as "a college career director" gives her insight into hiring for 'high powered' jobs? That is what I responded to.

PS: Please excuse my "writing style" http://www.grammar-monster.com/easily_confused/youre_your.htm

You sound like a complete a$$hole. Nobody here believes you're in charge of more than flipping burgers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

HA! Do you REALLY think ANYONE is hired into a "high powered" job out of college? That is referred to as ENTRY LEVEL. I'm talking C-Suite jobs. No one questions the contention that strong college pedigree helps in obtaining ENTRY LEVEL jobs (which is what you, as a college career director, handle), the point is that one's educational credentials have diminishing value as they build a career track record. By the time it comes to C-Suite, Partnership, Managing Director hiring those credentials are nothing more than a PLUS factor.

In my experience, positions in the administration of colleges (e.g., college career director) are full of frustrated professionals who can't understand why their educational pedigree hasn't taken them further.

Different PP here, not the college career person. You are cray cray!

Or, you think your "clever" and you can change the subject around and "nobody will notice" and then we'll stop ragging on your sheer stupidity for the "I won't hire Ivy grads" comment. I'm here to call you on this BS. Nobody suggested that an Ivy degree is a ticket for life, anywhere in this thread. Instead, let's be clear: you're getting beaten up because everybody is responding to your stupid comment that you wouldn't hire Ivy grads for all these "high powered" positions you supposedly control.

Geez. It's scary to think that someone as dense and blinkered as you is in charge of hiring "high powered" managers. Then again, all the evidence (your writing style, your sheer ignorance) point to the conclusion that you're lying.

Here is direct quote I responded to: As a college career director I'm certain you know much less about 'high powered' jobs than I do.[i]

Do you not see that as implying that PP thinks her position as "a college career director" gives her insight into hiring for 'high powered' jobs? That is what I responded to.

PS: Please excuse my "writing style" http://www.grammar-monster.com/easily_confused/youre_your.htm

You sound like a complete a$$hole. Nobody here believes you're in charge of more than flipping burgers.

Perhaps. But you've just been humiliated by a "complete a$$hole" burger flipper - have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to thank God for anonymous message boards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

HA! Do you REALLY think ANYONE is hired into a "high powered" job out of college? That is referred to as ENTRY LEVEL. I'm talking C-Suite jobs. No one questions the contention that strong college pedigree helps in obtaining ENTRY LEVEL jobs (which is what you, as a college career director, handle), the point is that one's educational credentials have diminishing value as they build a career track record. By the time it comes to C-Suite, Partnership, Managing Director hiring those credentials are nothing more than a PLUS factor.

In my experience, positions in the administration of colleges (e.g., college career director) are full of frustrated professionals who can't understand why their educational pedigree hasn't taken them further.

Different PP here, not the college career person. You are cray cray!

Or, you think your "clever" and you can change the subject around and "nobody will notice" and then we'll stop ragging on your sheer stupidity for the "I won't hire Ivy grads" comment. I'm here to call you on this BS. Nobody suggested that an Ivy degree is a ticket for life, anywhere in this thread. Instead, let's be clear: you're getting beaten up because everybody is responding to your stupid comment that you wouldn't hire Ivy grads for all these "high powered" positions you supposedly control.

Geez. It's scary to think that someone as dense and blinkered as you is in charge of hiring "high powered" managers. Then again, all the evidence (your writing style, your sheer ignorance) point to the conclusion that you're lying.

Here is direct quote I responded to: As a college career director I'm certain you know much less about 'high powered' jobs than I do.[i]

Do you not see that as implying that PP thinks her position as "a college career director" gives her insight into hiring for 'high powered' jobs? That is what I responded to.

PS: Please excuse my "writing style" http://www.grammar-monster.com/easily_confused/youre_your.htm

You sound like a complete a$$hole. Nobody here believes you're in charge of more than flipping burgers.

Perhaps. But you've just been humiliated by a "complete a$$hole" burger flipper - have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to thank God for anonymous message boards.

Yeah, you keep telling yourself you "won." The rest of will keep thinking the nearest you every get to the "C Suite" is dusting the desks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You sound like a complete a$$hole. Nobody here believes you're in charge of more than flipping burgers.

Perhaps. But you've just been humiliated by a "complete a$$hole" burger flipper - have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to thank God for anonymous message boards.

Wow, just wow. A person has to be a real loser to seek validation from the illusion (because that's all it is, you're fooling yourself if you think otherwise) of trying to humiliate anonymous strangers.