Where You Go To School Is Useless

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[BlackBird-rq]

my retired DDS aunt say the person who graduate at the top of the class and the bottom of the class are both called doctor.

[Btyler]

This isn't true in all cases. A lawyer that goes to Harvard will have WAY more job prospects upon graduation than a lawyer that went to Arizona State (not picking on ASU by any means).

[GBob]

For lawyers it can make a big difference depending on the clientele and firm

[yellowrose]

I really believed this and went to a small local school that was inexpensive because I wanted to be sure to graduate without debt. However, my husband went to a larger private school and he still paid off his debt, plus he has so much more community. The alumni have so much pride. I want to share the other side of it -- networking is actually how most people get a job and being part of his university community helped my husband get his first job.

[bendenisereedy]

48% of pilots with Pakistan International Airways bought their licences. It's why PIA is banned from European airspace.

[JB-qtwo]

My dermatologist has his Harvard Medical school diploma on the wall…He’s a weird guy but a great dermatologist. The diploma definitely reinforces my confidence in his ability.

[aycoded]

Once you’re a doctor sure, but getting those first jobs as a doctor, or a specific higher paid position sooner when all you have is education

[nitemoves]

I concur with Dave’s statement, but it’s hard to overlook the fact that there is a Harvard schmuck on almost every corporate board.

[F-xegt]

For professional degrees like that it doesn’t make a huge difference but for some industries (finance, consulting, law, etc) having a degree from an Ivy is huge. Go to the best college you can as a rule of thumb

[ourtube]

No shit Sherlock. The patient or client doesn’t ask where the doctor/lawyer went to school. But the hospital or firm certainly does! Nobody working at the Mayo Clinic graduated from a no name med school in who-cares Iowa, they went to Harvard, Stanford or Hopkins.

[GlenMcbride-sl]

The best thing for me was to get a steady job! After college I noticed I had to find a new job about every 5 years. That's not good for anybody. Finally I got a lower leval job with the FEDS. IT WAS DIFFICULT, BUT I WORKED UP! That's right! I worked overtime and made a lot of money. They really need me. I worked and was very dependable so I went everywhere solved thier problems and they stuffed my pockets full of money. It finally got to the point I told them all the extra money they owed me. Many other Govt employees did not want to work that hard at dangerous jobs. I only had to be sewed up twice. NO big deal. I kept on working! Sorry I got old and had to quit!

[Tito-wfqx]

It’s called networking. That’s why prestigious schools make a difference.

[jam]

I wish this was true but it's not the way life is. I hear a lot of "yeah, he is a great engineer, went to MIT" even if he's been in the industry for 10+ years.

[pigospin]

Well said, Ramsey. My son wanted to go to Duke. I can affoard it, but I sent him to a state school. No university worth 80k a year. I told him exactly the same thing.

[SMW]

I wouldn’t say it’s useless. Alumni connections can give you a very quick in with a lot of jobs. A friend went to Creighton for his masters and when he was nearing graduation a professor asked if he had a job lined up yet. A few phone calls and the professor had multiple interviews set up for him with other alumni.

[Hop_Off_N]

I don't know, I think some of the Ivy's still mean something. But what really helps I think is the connections you make at those that's really beneficial.

[TitusRex]

I did get my job because of the university I went to. I could probably get another job, but that particular company would only hire from two universities and so I would not get that job that was honestly a great start to my career.

[keithwright]

I used to work with a bunch of Ivy League and Wharton MBA’s. From that point forward I will Not interview an MBA from an Ivy League school or Wharton. They are arrogant AND ignorant.

[jackyack]

College taught me how to learn and analyze information. I work in a highly specialized technical field. My degree only helped me get my first job. From there, my real education began. I don’t care if you come out of MIT, your degree isn’t dog squeeze compared to 15 years experience doing a job.

[sheilahill]

This is so true! I tried to tell my brother that same thing. 10 years later, he owes $60, 000. His wife owes on her student loans as well.