Do students at universities form social groups based on family income levels?

[Anonymous]

Maybe a rather sensitive question? What about racial groups?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, 100%
My son is at any Ivy and reports that all NYC private school kids and boarding school kids stick together. Several of them have parents who bought houses near the Ivy
that sit mostly empty (freshman year) but that the kids use to party. Also they get local country club memberships for their 4 years and the kids all play golf together.
My kid attended a top private and has been invited to party and golf, etc but told me "They're fine but I don't want my entire social experience to revolve around them" --because apparently it's a pretty all-consuming group.

this is pretty common at most schools in T20.

In general, society is already divided. Just look at the neighborhood and zoning

+1 this is just how America works.

This is how it works everywhere.

True, the rich separate them selves everywhere. Vacation spots, hobbies, neighborhoods, clothing brands. It’s everywhere when you pay attention.

And? Go get yourself the best education you can get and make a living and a life for yourself. Some people are going to go off to their ski houses or some tropical island over winter break and so what?

[Anonymous]

My DC went to a school where the in state and OOS kids tended to be somewhat segregated. There was also some income segregation because of living situations after freshman year in the dorms. My DC lived in one of the more expensive apartment buildings so it ended up being with wealthier friends (who also all happened to be OOS kids). There wasn't as much of a private/public school thing though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, 100%
My son is at any Ivy and reports that all NYC private school kids and boarding school kids stick together. Several of them have parents who bought houses near the Ivy
that sit mostly empty (freshman year) but that the kids use to party. Also they get local country club memberships for their 4 years and the kids all play golf together.
My kid attended a top private and has been invited to party and golf, etc but told me "They're fine but I don't want my entire social experience to revolve around them" --because apparently it's a pretty all-consuming group.

this is pretty common at most schools in T20.

In general, society is already divided. Just look at the neighborhood and zoning

+1 this is just how America works.

This is how it works everywhere.

True, the rich separate them selves everywhere. Vacation spots, hobbies, neighborhoods, clothing brands. It’s everywhere when you pay attention.

And? Go get yourself the best education you can get and make a living and a life for yourself. Some people are going to go off to their ski houses or some tropical island over winter break and so what?

The key issue is connection—this is what really matters for ambitious middle-class students. If those expensive, prestigious private schools can't provide meaningful connections, the return on investment is too low, especially for middle-class families who are likely paying close to full tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, 100%
My son is at any Ivy and reports that all NYC private school kids and boarding school kids stick together. Several of them have parents who bought houses near the Ivy
that sit mostly empty (freshman year) but that the kids use to party. Also they get local country club memberships for their 4 years and the kids all play golf together.
My kid attended a top private and has been invited to party and golf, etc but told me "They're fine but I don't want my entire social experience to revolve around them" --because apparently it's a pretty all-consuming group.

this is pretty common at most schools in T20.

In general, society is already divided. Just look at the neighborhood and zoning

+1 this is just how America works.

This is how it works everywhere.

True, the rich separate them selves everywhere. Vacation spots, hobbies, neighborhoods, clothing brands. It’s everywhere when you pay attention.

And? Go get yourself the best education you can get and make a living and a life for yourself. Some people are going to go off to their ski houses or some tropical island over winter break and so what?

Sure. Forget their vacation destinations. The question is, day-to-day on campus, are the wealthy kids friends only with each other or do their friend groups also include kids with less privileged backgrounds and less disposable income to spend in college.

FWIW, most of us are looking for colleges that will offer our kids BOTH things: (1) a great education that will launch them into a stable adult life; AND (2) a four-year home where they will feel comfortable and accepted socially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC went to a school where the in state and OOS kids tended to be somewhat segregated. There was also some income segregation because of living situations after freshman year in the dorms. My DC lived in one of the more expensive apartment buildings so it ended up being with wealthier friends (who also all happened to be OOS kids). There wasn't as much of a private/public school thing though.

Michigan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, 100%
My son is at any Ivy and reports that all NYC private school kids and boarding school kids stick together. Several of them have parents who bought houses near the Ivy
that sit mostly empty (freshman year) but that the kids use to party. Also they get local country club memberships for their 4 years and the kids all play golf together.
My kid attended a top private and has been invited to party and golf, etc but told me "They're fine but I don't want my entire social experience to revolve around them" --because apparently it's a pretty all-consuming group.

this is pretty common at most schools in T20.

In general, society is already divided. Just look at the neighborhood and zoning

+1 this is just how America works.

This is how it works everywhere.

True, the rich separate them selves everywhere. Vacation spots, hobbies, neighborhoods, clothing brands. It’s everywhere when you pay attention.

And? Go get yourself the best education you can get and make a living and a life for yourself. Some people are going to go off to their ski houses or some tropical island over winter break and so what?

The key issue is connection—this is what really matters for ambitious middle-class students. If those expensive, prestigious private schools can't provide meaningful connections, the return on investment is too low, especially for middle-class families who are likely paying close to full tuition.

I don’t understand the issue? You can connect with other middle class people. Don’t be such a striver.

[Anonymous]

If half the school is middle class, why don’t middle class students want to connect with other people who are middle class? This whole conundrum is manufactured. You can find your people. Half the school is made up of them.

Sure you’re not going to be hanging out with the private school/ boarding school kids. Why did you think you would be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, 100%
My son is at any Ivy and reports that all NYC private school kids and boarding school kids stick together. Several of them have parents who bought houses near the Ivy
that sit mostly empty (freshman year) but that the kids use to party. Also they get local country club memberships for their 4 years and the kids all play golf together.
My kid attended a top private and has been invited to party and golf, etc but told me "They're fine but I don't want my entire social experience to revolve around them" --because apparently it's a pretty all-consuming group.

this is pretty common at most schools in T20.

In general, society is already divided. Just look at the neighborhood and zoning

+1 this is just how America works.

This is how it works everywhere.

True, the rich separate them selves everywhere. Vacation spots, hobbies, neighborhoods, clothing brands. It’s everywhere when you pay attention.

And? Go get yourself the best education you can get and make a living and a life for yourself. Some people are going to go off to their ski houses or some tropical island over winter break and so what?

The key issue is connection—this is what really matters for ambitious middle-class students. If those expensive, prestigious private schools can't provide meaningful connections, the return on investment is too low, especially for middle-class families who are likely paying close to full tuition.

Wut? My DC at an elite school has made plenty of connections. And horrors of horrors some of her valuable connections with lower income friends. Can you even imagine?

[Anonymous]

When I look at the financial industry or venture capital on the West Coast, that's exactly how it works—connections matter more than brand.

But if you are only aiming at a middle class income sure, it really does not matter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I look at the financial industry or venture capital on the West Coast, that's exactly how it works—connections matter more than brand.

But if you are only aiming at a middle class income sure, it really does not matter

what does this even mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I look at the financial industry or venture capital on the West Coast, that's exactly how it works—connections matter more than brand.

But if you are only aiming at a middle class income sure, it really does not matter

Some students take aim at a target not based solely on income. I know DCUM chokes on this possibility but it does exist out in the wild.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For example, do wealthy students often stick together — they tend to hang out on luxury private islands and build their own exclusive networks?

Goodness, OP. You have watched waaaaaay too much TV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC went to a school where the in state and OOS kids tended to be somewhat segregated. There was also some income segregation because of living situations after freshman year in the dorms. My DC lived in one of the more expensive apartment buildings so it ended up being with wealthier friends (who also all happened to be OOS kids). There wasn't as much of a private/public school thing though.

Michigan?

Yes

[Anonymous]

Be rich or good looking. Best to be both.