Did going to an Ivy League college make a huge difference to your status/life?
08-29-2011, 11:59 PM
Although there are undoubtedly advantages to attending an Ivy league school, IMHO, in the United States, the benefits are not as great as attending an elite school in many foreign countries. For example in some places in Asia, attendance at an elite school is literally the difference between rich/upper middle class and being average.
In the United States the division is not quite as stark. I believe that they've surveyed top management at Fortune 500 companies as having a greater number of state school grads, although it's probably higher as a percentage when speaking of Ivy grads. Plenty of CEO's, politicians and successful business people are state school grads if not college dropouts even. Lots of people like Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, etc are not Ivy grads.
Contrast this with upper management in some foreign countries where a higher percentage comes from elite school and not having attended one is a barrier in life. IMHO, having the right degree, experience and going to the correct school/program for your major/career is just as important. There are of course some industries or areas that give preference or fill themselves with Ivy leaguers like I-banking, elite law firms and social networks in places like NYC, SF and LA.
In the United States the division is not quite as stark. I believe that they've surveyed top management at Fortune 500 companies as having a greater number of state school grads, although it's probably higher as a percentage when speaking of Ivy grads. Plenty of CEO's, politicians and successful business people are state school grads if not college dropouts even. Lots of people like Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, etc are not Ivy grads.
Contrast this with upper management in some foreign countries where a higher percentage comes from elite school and not having attended one is a barrier in life. IMHO, having the right degree, experience and going to the correct school/program for your major/career is just as important. There are of course some industries or areas that give preference or fill themselves with Ivy leaguers like I-banking, elite law firms and social networks in places like NYC, SF and LA.