Do you think the prestige of a university matters?

Answer 1

Researchers have worked the numbers to "prove" both sides of the argument. Like others, I think it depends hugely on what field you're in and where you're looking for a job.

In my own experience, I got a BA with honors from Tulane University, which is supposed to be somewhat prestigious. In a pile of interviews, a grand total of one interviewer showed any sign of being impressed by that (I didn't get the job). For grad school I went to University of Missouri Journalism School, which is generally regarded as one of the top three journalism schools in the US. My one and only newspaper job I got because the newspaper would basically grant an interview to anyone who took some classes there. So that selection paid off big time.

Answer 2

Only if what you are interested is a means to an end. If you really care about an education, then you will check out the faculty of a university (use their websites to start), to find what sort of things they teach and what research they do. The prestige often is an indirect indication of quality, but in the case of an individual department or program (which is what you'll be seeking), the faculty at less prestigious universities might be much better than that at more prestigious ones.

Answer 3

Kinda. I mean, if they're gonna charge you the same as, say, Harvard or Yale, then yes you should also be entitled to the prestige.

Otherwise, a degree is a degree, and in this mechanical world, since they put so much stock in a framed piece of paper, the last thing they should be able to demand is which school it came from. That's pushin' it too far. I mean, there are many intelligent individuals in this country, but they are overlooked due to the absence of mainstream credentials. So, prestige shouldn't matter too much.

Answer 4

The prestige of a university matters financially (the upfront costs of tuition, board, books, etc.) Depending on your career choices it also matters for high end employers. Whether you should choose to go to one depends on your ambitions and values. Graduating from Oxford does not necessarily benefit you if you plan to be an actor or musician.

Answer 5

good question. it depends on what youre talking about. Of course IVY league schools pride themselves on it, but if youre going out looking for a job thats a dime-a-dozen, then it probably doesnt matter what tech school you went to.

Answer 6

Absolutly.

Answer 7

it depends....if you wanna go to grad school, then definatley, but if you go straight to a job, not so much