Value of a name/prestigious college

[Anonymous]

For an undergrad education, what are the benefits of attending a prestigious, name school versus a smaller one that offers good academics but no one has heard of? At least no one in this region.

[Anonymous]

DH went to name school, I went to great academics, but unheard of niche school; met on the job, in the same job, surrounded by people who went to all kinds of different schools. You will find the same results in nearly every workplace in the United States.

[Anonymous]

This element was the tie-breaker for my kid when it came down to it. She admitted as much, knowing that it was a little shallow. Everything else was on pretty equal standing, so we went along with it, although I thought the lesser-known school was a little better fit (and it would have been a little cheaper). Your kid has to be happy with the choice.

[Anonymous]

If you are talking SLACs - “smaller one that offers good academics but no one has heard” - people in the know would know about Amherst, Smith, Wellesley, Barnard, Vassar, Kenyon, Oberlin, Reed, Pomona...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are talking SLACs - “smaller one that offers good academics but no one has heard” - people in the know would know about Amherst, Smith, Wellesley, Barnard, Vassar, Kenyon, Oberlin, Reed, Pomona...

“People in the know?” Hmmm.....Interesting.

I grew up in the South where everyone just went to their flagship state school. Until I moved to DC about 20 years ago, I hadn’t heard of a single one of these schools. To this day, I only know 1 person who went to Amherst and a couple of loonies who went to Oberlin. None of the others. Then again, I work with a bunch of engineers and most of my closer friends have STEM or business degrees. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This element was the tie-breaker for my kid when it came down to it. She admitted as much, knowing that it was a little shallow. Everything else was on pretty equal standing, so we went along with it, although I thought the lesser-known school was a little better fit (and it would have been a little cheaper). Your kid has to be happy with the choice.

What are the other benefits to choosing the prestige name? It was it just for the “shallow” reason?

[Anonymous]

I do think it matters.

Worked at a large software vendor known to be a tough hire. Invariably the folks with the "pedigree" were able to get hired straight from school. Other folks had to prove themselves at "lesser" firms out of school. Also helped when getting promoted - not all the time - but it mattered. Also stronger alumni networks.

That all said some of the most successful people I know didn't finish college. But there are fewer of them then the name brand college graduates that do well.

The only alternative point of view is that I have found the "kids from the no name schools" usually - and I realize its a generalization - had more fire in their bellies and some - definitely not all - IVY folks I have met have been incredibly entitled. Again a generalization.

Also depends upon the industry - software is a little bit of an intellectual snob show so demonstrated intellect, via pedigree, is valued.

[Anonymous]

A good friend went to a respectable school for undergrad (Holy Cross) and got his first master’s from GW (also respectable). He went on to get another master’s from Hopkins. Although he was already successful by any measure, he claims the Hopkins degree has provided him cache and access he didn’t have before. (I know this is a conversation about undergrad education, but the point I’m making is - yes, name brand matters).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This element was the tie-breaker for my kid when it came down to it. She admitted as much, knowing that it was a little shallow. Everything else was on pretty equal standing, so we went along with it, although I thought the lesser-known school was a little better fit (and it would have been a little cheaper). Your kid has to be happy with the choice.

What are the other benefits to choosing the prestige name? It was it just for the “shallow” reason?

She literally said, “I want to go somewhere that people have heard of.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A good friend went to a respectable school for undergrad (Holy Cross) and got his first master’s from GW (also respectable). He went on to get another master’s from Hopkins. Although he was already successful by any measure, he claims the Hopkins degree has provided him cache and access he didn’t have before. (I know this is a conversation about undergrad education, but the point I’m making is - yes, name brand matters).

so then why are you talking about grad school?

[Anonymous]

PP does not read very well.

[Anonymous]

I think it opens a few more doors for about 5 years after graduation. Then you’re on your own completely and it doesn’t matter if you went to Harvard or Podunk U.

[Anonymous]

I bet I can name 10 schools that are better than the one your DD is considering that she has never heard of (but people who know good colleges have).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A good friend went to a respectable school for undergrad (Holy Cross) and got his first master’s from GW (also respectable). He went on to get another master’s from Hopkins. Although he was already successful by any measure, he claims the Hopkins degree has provided him cache and access he didn’t have before. (I know this is a conversation about undergrad education, but the point I’m making is - yes, name brand matters).

so then why are you talking about grad school?

Did you read the second part of my sentence?

[Anonymous]

It all depends on your goals. My college directly helped open doors for me, career-wise. I knew if I did well there that would likely happen, as I went to a specialized program.

Prestige can help, but you have to know how to use it.