[calebl]

Loved this article. It presents a compelling case that most colleges are providing near-equivalent education, and that the variance is mostly in selection bias. My only objection: at the end, the author takes issue with the fact that it's nearly impossible to get people to take selection bias into account when choosing where to send their kids. However, there's another possible factor that I think parents might be considering: the network of connections that I build when I go to school X. Even if Harvard gives my daughter the same educational quality that, say, Florida State gives her... if she's likely to form a network of friends that are all approximately 100x higher in net worth, then if I care about her long-term economic outcomes, I'd still try hard to send her to Harvard, no?

I'm not saying that's ideal, and it's most certainly an outcome of the exact selection bias you're talking about... just that it's a semi-rational choice for the parents, because school choices can often be about non-educational effects.

Just my two cents, though... I could be way off. And regardless, thanks for the article.. definitely made me think about the topic more than I had.

[fragsworth]

I think the network is overrated. Everyone I've known has had the same experience - immediately after graduating, everyone gets a job, moves far away from one another, and slowly drifts apart from the friends they met in college.

You'll get a similar network working at your first job. And then your second job. The group you met in college is of little consequence in the end.

[zeta0134]

Speak for yourself. My current career in systems administration, a pleasant improvement over my retail start during college, was gained through my network of college friends. I don't keep in touch with them often, but we went to the same programming classes, and know each other's relative strengths. One of my buddies took me to lunch with his friends that work here, and one thing led to another. I still had to apply and go through the technical screening just like anyone else, but just like that I had an "in" and was able to perform a class jump.

Is my experience anecdotal? Absolutely! I didn't even finish my degree, which makes this a weird exception story. On paper, college got me nothing, but in reality, the network of contacts and the life experiences I earned were far more useful to me than the degree I never obtained.

[taneq]

To give an opposing anecdote, I've landed more than half of my full time permanent positions through personal recommendations or references from people I know from university. And these jobs have by far been more interesting and/or better for my career than ones I found through recruiters or vacancy ads.

[wott]

So, recommendations and references from people who never saw you at work. There's something wrong about that. I am not saying it doesn't happen, it does, but it still makes very little sense.

[rnabel]

I generally disagree that the university network is unimportant.

"85% of All Jobs are Filled Via Networking"[1]; the network in most cases (certainly mine) will consist of people they met at or through university.

In this case, I would argue that the "through" university section is highly important. If you go to uni, land a couple of internships at large companies or go on exchanges you probably have a very large network of people you otherwise wouldn't have.

I do, however, agree that it takes effort (on both sides) to maintain the friendships and connections made at university.

[1] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-survey-reveals-85-all-job...

[superquest]

One's choice of first job is of great consequence, however, and it is greatly influenced by social group.

[fuzzybeard]

Not always True. I'm in Boston and the Harvard alumni network is strong. You see connections all the time throughout various events and industries. For example, I'll meet someone in biotech (our state's largest industry) and talk about venture funding for his startup when he'll mention his friends from Harvard that can help get the right introductions.

[mmmpop]

Not to question the authenticity of your comment but it feels handcrafted to piss off about 75% of HN (not me, necessarily!)

[tyrw]

What is offensive about this? The fact that someone on HN went to Harvard?

[mmmpop]

Envy I'd guess? There are probably a lot of reasons that some people resent Ivy League grads, probably the whole "legacy" model. I get that, but I know plenty that were just talented and worked very hard to be there. Haters gonna hate!

[tyrw]

Just an odd take to me. HN was started by a Harvard alum based on experiences in the Harvard Computer Society, so this should be the last place that's an issue...

[stared]

I think that the main added value of prestigious universities is networking - with peers and professors alike (almost in its naked form for many business jobs).

If Mark Zuckerberg had attended some university in Slovakia (being as smart and skilled) there is no way he would have started Facebook (and it goes for every networking effect - from co-workers, through financing to reputation of place that allowed this network to grow).