How much does an ivy league degree really count?

Question

Hi,
I'm currently attending a pretty highly regarded school (Think Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, Princeton) etc.
How much does a degree from a school like this really help in getting a job? Also how much does GPA matter if you go to one of these schools? I'm a freshman and have a 3.2 right now, and so far it is hard for me to get good grades. I think as soon as I can take just engineering classes it will go up though. I am majoring in Comp Sci and want to get a job in the field.

Do employers care about freshmen grades? How about business school or top Grad schools (MIT, Stanford etc)? Doe s the "branding" of a top school at least make them look at GPA differently at all?
Thanks
R

Answer 1

An Ivy league school will def. help. These universities have very large alumni networking groups that will help you pull a job later on. Just do not think that your degree is all you need to get a job because competence is the most important factor in being successful. The degree is just a great way to get your foot in the door, it is usually the internships, experience, and over all appeal of the candidate that gets them the job. As for top Grad schools the GPA plays a big role in admissions, but the admissions officers are very familiar with the academic programs of these schools. So if you are going to one of those schools were there is massive grade inflation and the majority of the class graduates *** Lade than a 3.2 might not be that impressive (although you are only a freshman...you have plenty of time to pull up your grades, and most focus more on your GPA for your major). Some schools also weigh the examinations as much as the undergraduate GPA, like the Lsat for most law schools.

If you plan on getting a job out of college or going to grad school I think you will be fine either way.

Answer 2

Im not sure if grad schools look at your cumulative GPA or the GPA for your major.
Going to an ivy league will get you some pull, but theyd much rather see a 4.0 from a less prestigious school than a 3.0 from an ivy league.
The ivy league school will only do so much for you, you still need to perform well.

Answer 3

No but it doesnt really matter where you went to school at to be honest some people just find it impressive to have something from an Ivy League because that tells people you have money to afford such a school.