Reply to NYT opinion article "Did I choose the wrong college "

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
Ding, ding, ding! Something people who refuse to understand alternative perspectives and circumstances can't seem to wrap their heads around. My parents are extremely well-connected for immigrants...but it's notable the difference in network I have as an HYPS alum compared to my siblings who went to our flagship state school. My brother went to HYS for law school, which has helped his career...but one thing I've noticed is that you really learn how to work your network as an undergrad. He's doing absolutely fine (better than fine), but contrary to what everyone says about grad school networks mattering more, I would say that I benefit the most from my elite undergrad network. My sister is an entrepreneur, and she agrees with this assessment of the importance of undergrad networks, by the way.[/quote]
"My parents are extremely well-connected for immigrants...". This is key.[b] Many first generation from Ivy League don't connect. [/b]And some still struggle after college. [/quote]
This is true, but it's true of any group. I have another first-generation friend whose parents are not at all well-connected...but she went to Wharton and now she basically seems to know everyone. If I ever can't find someone in my network, she invariably knows at least three people to connect me with.

An Ivy or comparable elite gives you access to a network that your birth circumstances might not provide. It's up to you to figure out how to use it...but it's there. I promise. I get my foot [i]into all kinds of places based 100% on my academic pedigree.[/quote]
I am curious, was it based on your ivy pedigree or was it based on your college pedigree? [/i] There is a difference. Most non-Ivy LACs are less known to outsiders yet are close knit and have a strong alum network. So was it the ivy pedegree or was it the close knit alum connection?  I am thinking if most of your connections came from your college alum base, this may have less to do with ivy and more to do with the close connection many feel with their own college. [/quote]
For me it's both (and full disclosure, I went to Stanford so not an Ivy, but an equivalent). The network effect of a place like Stanford is real, and I think people do feel more affinity to their undergrad [i]alma mater [/i]than their grad school one (I know I do). But the Stanford name has also been cited by interviewers etc as a reason they paid attention to my resume.[/quote]

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