Stanford undergrad + Harvard grad here.

I know one couple (friends of my aunt) who went to Stanford who always go on about what a waste of money Stanford is. They went on and on about they every year at Thanksgiving (which we celebrate with at my aunt's) every single year I was in college. I honestly didn't understand why they were so adamant about spending a substantial portion of the holiday explaining to my parents how they were throwing money away on my education until their kids, who were a couple years younger than me, went to college. Their kids all went to expensive privates that were good schools but somewhat lower ranked than Stanford. Their schools were no cheaper than Stanford. Ultimately, I think their ire was about realizing their kids would never get into their alma mater.

All of that being said, though, I think elite schools are both under- and over-rated. Under-rated, because IMHO at least Harvard and Stanford really do provide experiences that are near impossible to get elsewhere. Over-rated, though, to the extent that a HYPS diploma isn't sufficient to tell you a person is smart/will be successful. IME, it mostly tells you there's a greater than average chance that a person will be notably intelligent...and also a greater than average chance that a person will only work well "with" others when they are leading efforts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems the point of the OP was not that going to am elite school is a better path to success. Rather, that those who denigrate elite rarely have gone to one. I agree with the OP.

I agree with OP, too.

Reminds me of the guys who couldn't get a date to the prom so they said the prom was beyond stupid and only losers went to the prom.

Prom is pretty stupid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are asking why people who think Ivy schools are overrated didn't go to any Ivy. Why would I attend a school I think is overrated?

Your logical reasoning skills need improvement.

Yes, because all the people who think the Ivy schools are overrated were accepted to the Ivy schools and declined attending.

Come on...

Why would people apply to a school they think is overrated?

People do apply and decide to go to non-Ivy schools. Clearly they didn't think it was worth the cost.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems the point of the OP was not that going to am elite school is a better path to success. Rather, that those who denigrate elite rarely have gone to one. I agree with the OP.

I agree with OP, too.

Reminds me of the guys who couldn't get a date to the prom so they said the prom was beyond stupid and only losers went to the prom.

Anonymous wrote:It seems the point of the OP was not that going to am elite school is a better path to success. Rather, that those who denigrate elite rarely have gone to one. I agree with the OP.

I agree with OP, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Had some family yesterday calling Ivies overrated, it doesn't matter where you go to undergrad, going overboard about how fantastic their children's state school or unranked private college is. I've never encountered anyone with a credential from an elite who talks like that.

Uh, have you ever encountered someone from a state school? Have you ever hired multiple people from varying schools and noticed how the 'elite education' employees can be insufferably full of themselves and not necessarily great employees?

We have a Cornell grad and a Dartmouth grad - both wonderful and humble people and the opposite of "full of themselves".

You sound jealous, PP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Had some family yesterday calling Ivies overrated, it doesn't matter where you go to undergrad, going overboard about how fantastic their children's state school or unranked private college is. I've never encountered anyone with a credential from an elite who talks like that.

Uh, have you ever encountered someone from a state school? Have you ever hired multiple people from varying schools and noticed how the 'elite education' employees can be insufferably full of themselves and not necessarily great employees?

I worked in TV - comedy mostly - and the funniest guys I ever knew were Harvard grads. Nice, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Had some family yesterday calling Ivies overrated, it doesn't matter where you go to undergrad, going overboard about how fantastic their children's state school or unranked private college is. I've never encountered anyone with a credential from an elite who talks like that.

Uh, have you ever encountered someone from a state school? Have you ever hired multiple people from varying schools and noticed how the 'elite education' employees can be insufferably full of themselves and not necessarily great employees?

No. I actually have never noticed that. I have hired Ivy grads and state school grads. All great kids and great employees.

Anonymous wrote:Had some family yesterday calling Ivies overrated, it doesn't matter where you go to undergrad, going overboard about how fantastic their children's state school or unranked private college is. I've never encountered anyone with a credential from an elite who talks like that.

Uh, have you ever encountered someone from a state school? Have you ever hired multiple people from varying schools and noticed how the 'elite education' employees can be insufferably full of themselves and not necessarily great employees?

It seems the point of the OP was not that going to am elite school is a better path to success. Rather, that those who denigrate elite rarely have gone to one. I agree with the OP.

I went to a regular old state school (Michigan). DH went to Harvard grad school. I observed that there are more name brand faculty there, but they are also more into their own projects than into the students. Office hours for the luminaries had to be booked weeks in advance. His advisor wasn't in town during registration and offered no assistance. So I don't know if he got a great education there, but he certainly did get a great network. He also has been considered for more jobs and received more invitations to events and panels because of the so-called H bomb. It opens doors, so he believes it was worth it.

I'm fine too. I feel like I might have to prove myself a bit more to get the door open than he does. But I'm not complaining. I've now got a good rep for what I do, but it was hard earned.

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: what exactly is an elite college. I know the Ivies, MIT, Stanford, University of Chicago are considered elite - but what about the Claremont Colleges or Vanderbilt?

Those last two are excellent schools. Probably not "elite" though. Would be thrilled for my kid to go to Vandy in particular.

Anonymous wrote:You are asking why people who think Ivy schools are overrated didn't go to any Ivy. Why would I attend a school I think is overrated?

Your logical reasoning skills need improvement.

Yes, because all the people who think the Ivy schools are overrated were accepted to the Ivy schools and declined attending.

Come on...

You are asking why people who think Ivy schools are overrated didn't go to any Ivy. Why would I attend a school I think is overrated?

Your logical reasoning skills need improvement.

Anonymous wrote:Marc Koplik - fraud
Henderson and Koplik
Education - elite
Brown University and Yale Law School

told 60 minutes how to move money off shore to shelter from taxes

Aside from that one exception, 12 out of the 13 law firms, including 15 out of the 16 lawyers, not only heard Ralph Kayser out, they suggested ways that the suspicious funds could be moved into the U.S. without compromising the minister’s identity.

Attorney James Silkenat was selected by Global Witness because at the time, he was president of the American Bar Association. Yet he and his colleague, Hugh Finnegan, provided what former prosecutors told us was a roadmap of how to conceal the source of the funds using layers of anonymous, interconnected shell companies in multiple jurisdictions.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hidden-camera-investigation-money-laundering-60-minutes/

Yes, Dear, all the bad people in the world attended elite colleges. You win. Now please stop the ridiculous cut and paste.