07.18.09, 09:30 PM 22 replies
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Is an Ivy League education that important? It seems that many of the posts here are about graduating or getting into Ivy League schools.

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  • Is an Ivy League education that important? It seems that many of the posts here are about graduating or getting into Ivy League schools.

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    • depends on where you live, what you want to do, and who your connections are.

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      07.19.09, 06:36 AM Flag
    • NO. Both dh and I went to Ivies and found that our work ethic has gotten us much further in life than the name on our diplomas. There are some industries where it does help (IB- or what's left of it,)-those are also the industries where connections and name-brands are very important (where you live, what car you drive, etc.) so I believe that they value the name of your school for superficial reasons. And it's hard for people to separate their life success from where they went to school. Some Ivy Leaguers will say that it made a difference for them, but they really know no differently, so you never really know.

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      07.19.09, 06:39 AM Flag
      • OR: Completely agree.

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        07.19.09, 06:43 AM Flag
      • and neither do you know for sure what's contributing to your success. part of the reason you have those diplomas is because of your work ethic, so it's a chicken and egg issue, no?

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        07.19.09, 08:48 AM Flag
        • not really. my work ethic got me into college. luck got me my first job. my work ethic got me subsequent jobs. I got a great education in college and enjoyed my years there, but it's wasn't the be all and end all.

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          07.19.09, 08:34 PM Flag
      • Funny. DH and I both went to Ivy and we both think classroom learning wasn't as important learning time management, working hard (work ethic), multitasking etc and we do think our school taught us that

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        07.19.09, 05:36 PM Flag
        • np: but who is to say you wouldn't have learned all of that at any college? I'm sure it's not unique to the Ivy League.

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          07.19.09, 08:37 PM Flag
      • ITA!

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        07.19.09, 05:39 PM Flag
    • All I can say is I went to a nice, mid-level eastern university and oversee a staff of 65, most of whom were Ivy or close to it. I think work ethic and individual drive is everything when it comes to success. That said, of course a good degree will open doors initially. But what you do once you're through is what counts.

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      07.19.09, 07:59 AM Flag
    • An excellent pedigree does help get you "in the door" in many professional industries. When you're in though, you still have to prove yourself by working hard.

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      07.19.09, 08:02 AM Flag
      • ittta with this. there's no doubt that it's helpful, and where you really see it is in economies like this one.

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        07.19.09, 08:49 AM Flag
        • lots of harvard law grads are having difficulty finding jobs, too.

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          07.19.09, 09:23 AM Flag
          • the ones without connections

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            07.19.09, 11:56 AM Flag
            • isn't the whole point that just by going to harvard law - an ivy - they should have the connections?

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              07.19.09, 04:17 PM Flag
          • Well it's a crappy economy right now. But I bet they're still doing a lot better than BU law grads or something.

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            07.19.09, 01:34 PM Flag
            • there's also regional favortism. i think that more harvard law grads leave boston while BU will try and stay local and might have more connections with other BU law grads that have stayed, etc.

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              07.19.09, 04:19 PM Flag
    • i think something is more important than WHERE you attend college: how LONG it takes you to get your degree and if you are able to do anything with it to make a living after

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      07.19.09, 09:31 AM Flag
    • personal decision, not the least bit important to me.

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      07.19.09, 10:59 AM Flag
    • i teach at an ivy league school. and it is my belief that kids can get a much better education at small liberal arts schools, if learning is what they care about. as far as connections go... going to an ivy may be important, but people make tons of important connections through their frats/sororities at big state schools too. i think the obsession with ivy league schools here is really strange. i have a feeling many people who are so set on their kids attending didn't go to one themselves. or they would know it's not THAT great!

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      07.19.09, 01:11 PM Flag
      • you're obviously not affiliated with Princeton ;o)

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        07.19.09, 06:49 PM Flag
        • that's funny... all of my princeton friends (there are a lot where i teach now) can never say enough good things about that school! i have never heard a bad thing about princeton.

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          07.19.09, 06:51 PM Flag
      • I totally agree. DH and I both went to Ivies and really liked our schools, but we have no strong urge (or desire) to send our children to them.

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        07.19.09, 07:24 PM Flag
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