Everyone says it is job performance that matters most and that is true. But everyone also seems to believe that how you were educated has no impact on how you do your job. That is not true.
Marieof CA3:24AM May 06, 2013
It is essentially a fraud stating that Ivy league schools produce the best and the brightest. So what about all the other people that went to non ivy schools and community colleges--does this mean since they did not attend these snob-versities that their minds and ideas are worthless? These snob-versities are brands just like Kellogg cereal is a brand and so many are buying it. How smart can you be when you buy into a brand when you could have achieved the same paying less at another college?
Spartacusof NJ12:26PM July 06, 2012
It's about the person, *not* the school. Unfortunately, many Americans have been socialized to believe one must go to an Ivy league school to be highly successful; however, when one uses common sense they will realize that this is not true---the two aforementioned studies prove this.
Mike R.of MA11:33PM March 24, 2012
Thanks for shedding light on this issue. As a school counselor I often try to explain to students that its the person that makes the school and not the school that makes the person. I am going to share this article on my blog and within my school as much as possible. There are so many students that need to hear this!
Tennilleof NJ2:13PM December 17, 2011
It's about the student, not the school. It's a sociological fact that people influence other people both directly and indirectly. Ergo, when you have a high number of motivated, goal-oriented, academically self-disciplied students at a school, the prospects for ALL of the students at that school improve. True, there may be slackers, but the vast majority of Ivy League students (or their type at other schools) already understand what it takes to be successful and pursue it actively. The Ivies just have more of them. Driven students at non-Ivies will do well, too. It's all about personal responsibility.
Angela Palumboof NY5:01PM August 18, 2011
I've been recruiting candidates from several Universities in the Northeast for the past 9 years (interview, recruit, attend on campus fairs, mentor new hires). I've interviewed several hundred candidates, talked at campus events, and hired dozens. Some of these schools include Ivies, MIT, WPI, RPI, NE, BU, BC. If I had to generalize I would say the Ivies and MIT produce the best candidates by a good margin. You will always find arrogant kids who expect jobs be handed to them with signing bonuses (not so much the last few years) and will not accept "entry" level responsibilities because they feel are not up to their level. This is not exclusive of Ivies and thus not characteristic of only Ivies.
My view is that schools do not make the student, its the student who make the school. Ivies happen to have a much higher percentage of excellent students. This leads to much higher competition and exchange of ideas. A high school valedictorian will learn much at an Ivy, but may put his brilliance on neutral or reverse in many other schools. THIS is the benefit of an Ivy League school and other top schools. Now, not all bright kids choose to go to an Ivy league school, and I believe they have a similar chance to succeed as any bright Ivy grad. This is why my company recruits from several schools.
Another benefit is that accept it or not, name recognition and or reputation opens many doors.
Those that have issues with Ivy Leaguers are usually those resenting a bad hiring idea, or a bad isolated experience. I've had one bad grape from an Ivy League school and that had only to do with job assignment expectation, not qualification and job performance. This will not change the fact that most of my best hires are top school performers from Ivies and MIT and that I will continue to recruit from the same schools. Getting the job done and on time is important, but getting the job done while advancing technology and taking your company ahead of the competition is even more impressive. I don't look for "good" employees, I look for high performers. Elite school graduates will always by definition be a minority, thus, there will always be jealousy and attempts to discredit them.
The mentality of the general population seems to be one where those that succeed and are rewarded for their ideas are frowned upon. Somehow becoming successful and earning high rewards is 'bad'. This is the mentality that is bringing this nation in a downward technological spiral. There is something wrong with you if you are not mediocre.
JCof MA10:51AM August 18, 2011
Sorry, I disagree with this article as it has reported the results of this "study." I live in a town that has an Ivy AND a "well-respected" expensive private school. The Ivy leaguers are better in almost every way. Yes, there have been great kids from the other school too, but the Ivy kids seem to have more of these types of kids. I think some of these comments hint at jealousy for not getting there. Sorry, but my perspective is built on 30 years experience in this small town.
nickof NY8:20PM August 17, 2011
As a person who has founded 3 businesses I have had the responsibility for bringing recent grads to fledgling businesses. Since I have known persons from 3 Ivy League Schools. somehow they never meet my criteria. I guess I expect someone with an expensive degree to have some initiative, self motivation, interpersonal social skills,flexibility, not stare into a mirror all day and admire themselves, not be lazy,and to complete work on time -must be unrealistic. However I have found that newly minted degreed people from " Red brick" colleges and universities seem to have the skills that Ivy Leaguers lack. What amazes most job candidates is when I tell them that they have just met the minimum qualifications to be interviewed and their real education lies in the future and was not granted to them at commencement. If I ask an Ivy Leaguer if he/she would like to do an internship they always ask how much I will pay them. Sorry--I gave a lot of free time to companies when doing my graduate work and used it on my resume as experience. That worked for me--and I never expected a dime from folks because I was learning something. Things seem very different now.
G. Richterof NY4:27PM August 16, 2011
In the end, it is not the school that makes the difference, it is the individual. I have utilized the services of many professionals. I find those from the state schools tend to work harder for less money, deliver on time or before time and under budget. The so called "Ivy League" produced individuals that demanded more money for less work with lower quality results. After thirty years, an Ivy League graduate has to prove to me he or she is worthy of my attention, much less my time.
Davidof LA4:08PM August 16, 2011
What about non-monetary considerations?
If one has huge student loan debt one is not as free to make choices that may result in less money but perhaps a better quality of life.
As a female I wanted to have a large family, and the best way to do that is to forgo labor force participation for some years and rely on earnings of the spouse. This I did and have never regretted it.
And I did not want to necessarily live in the areas of the country where earnings are the highest, but high GSL loan debt may not allow that choice.
On the other hand, there may be non-monetary advantages to attending some of the elite schools.
However, more debt usually means less freedom, and families and students should be paying more attention to the bottom line on the costs of college.
Plus, for those who are Christians or conservatives, many of the colleges are unfriendly to said beliefs. How much do parents and students want to pay for an experience that may destroy religious faith.
In making choices, there are non-monetary considerations, but if you have student debt of $100,000 or more, does anything else matter? Shouldn't prudent parents and students try to avoid financial bondage post-college?
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Marie of CA 3:24AM May 06, 2013
Spartacus of NJ 12:26PM July 06, 2012
Mike R. of MA 11:33PM March 24, 2012
Tennille of NJ 2:13PM December 17, 2011
Angela Palumbo of NY 5:01PM August 18, 2011
JC of MA 10:51AM August 18, 2011
nick of NY 8:20PM August 17, 2011
G. Richter of NY 4:27PM August 16, 2011
David of LA 4:08PM August 16, 2011
Jackie of UT 4:38AM May 23, 2011