No.
Ask HN: Have you ever felt inferior for not being from a name-brand college?
51–60 of 96 posts
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt inferior for not being from a name-brand college?
#52Well, it may be a little different in the UK due to our many-tiered higher education system (Oxbridge, redbricks, ex-polytechnics and a moderate spectrum in between), but I'll chip in my two copper pence either way. Actually, this is a question I've thought about a little too much, I'd wager, because, as a prospective undergraduate, I actually turned down an offer to read mathematics at Cambridge and decided to study…
In what ways do you regret your choice? It wasn't clear from your comments.
Also, Bristol is a lovely city.
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt inferior for not being from a name-brand college?
#53Well, it may be a little different in the UK due to our many-tiered higher education system (Oxbridge, redbricks, ex-polytechnics and a moderate spectrum in between), but I'll chip in my two copper pence either way. Actually, this is a question I've thought about a little too much, I'd wager, because, as a prospective undergraduate, I actually turned down an offer to read mathematics at Cambridge and decided to study…
Having lived in both the US and the UK, I'd observe that the prestige of one's university counts for MUCH more in the UK. To an American it is unbelieveable how much Brits focus on where they went to school (at all levels) rather than their abilities--and they are correct to do so, because other Brits use schools and universities as vital credentials. It's an aspect of the class system in the UK which doesn't exist i…
I'm from France and this is even worse than in the UK here. Matter of fact, a lot of people go work in the UK because its more merit based than France.
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt inferior for not being from a name-brand college?
#54I wouldn't say I've felt inferior. I've occasionally felt significant regret over my collegiate decision. But then I remember that most such people wind up paying $200k more than I did to go to college. Going to an MIT or Harvard might have gotten me somewhat better connections and opportunities, but it is difficult to see those as adding up to that large of a difference.
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt inferior for not being from a name-brand college?
#55[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt inferior for not being from a name-brand college?
#56I have stopped to. Thought I don't get excellent facilities, or a good geek crowd as name-brand colleges have here in India, I've started to believe in myself... ever since I did some freelance web design last year, and got myself into computer security related intern this summer, I've been more confident over my belief that "brand name doesn't matter, if I have skills and confidence over what I know, I can surely find the best for myself"
Have you ever felt inferior for not being from a name-brand college? - Yes, in the beginning of my college days, when people would ask me which college are you from? I would tell, and they would go... hmm haven't heard the name... okay.. whtever.
Do you feel inferior for not being... ? NO way, I wish to be a grand brand myself, why the heck attach branding n stuff to college, be the name, influence, etc yourself :)
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt inferior for not being from a name-brand college?
#57Indeed I do. MIT grads are automatically understood as smart. I can often convince people after a few minutes of conversation, but I do not always get those minutes.
I feel that, but I see the issue is not being as connected.
People who went to elite colleges built a valuable network, many of their friends and class mates are in big business or startups. None of my class mates are anywhere near the valley or startups.
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt inferior for not being from a name-brand college?
#58I wouldn't say I've felt inferior. I've occasionally felt significant regret over my collegiate decision. But then I remember that most such people wind up paying $200k more than I did to go to college. Going to an MIT or Harvard might have gotten me somewhat better connections and opportunities, but it is difficult to see those as adding up to that large of a difference.
Rarely do most people who go to top schools pay full price. Only those from extremely wealthy families do.
All (yes, all) the top schools are need-blind, meaning they don't look at your financial situation when deciding whether to accept you. A few of them (Stanford, Harvard I think) are offering completely free tuition if your parents make less than $100k. For other situations, you typically would get around 75% of your tuition free even if your parents make over $100k a year.
The difference in first year average salary for an MIT grad vs. a state school grad is enough to make up that difference.
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt inferior for not being from a name-brand college?
#59A more important question than whether you feel inferior is whether you are inferior. The answer to that one is "no".
If you feel inferior, but aren't inferior, then the problem is your feelings. Change them.
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt inferior for not being from a name-brand college?
#60Earlier quoted context omitted.
You don't have to accuse me of lying or being dishonest. I admit the majority is on your side, but I'm more interested in accuracy than how useful something is for you. I'm not the first person to use such a definition. Here is one from over a century ago, from an opinion in a court case from Alabama: "To "confer a title of nobility" is to nominate to an order of persons to whom privileges are granted at the expense…
The words may be the same, but the meaning is significantly different, and I have little interest in whatever sophistry you intend to pursue in order to support your crankish opinion that university degrees are unconstitutional. Incidentally, "nominate to an order of persons" is probably the operative text there, and is something that you probably neglected to include in your earlier definition. I do not think that A…
I never even mentioned the Constitution, so that's not my argument. You probably assumed I was talking about the Constitution when I said titles of nobility were supposed to have been abolished. In fact, I was referring to the idea that our society is supposed to be an egalitarian one (in a legal sense).
As for the rest of your post, it no longer seems relevant.