[Mick]

Well, as we consider what an 18 year old might mean by "set for life" I think the case can be made for that statement.  Our degrees do not magically end our need to work hard--it is not like winning a national lottery.  But everyone on this board who has trumpeted "the 40 year decision" is in fact saying that the degree "sets us up" for successful lives in a way that few other universities can match.  Taken that way, I think Dijonai has it right.

...speaking as someone who did not matriculate from Stanford, I know exactly what she's talking about.  Your degree follows you everywhere you go for the rest of your life.  A 23 year old Stanford grad has something in common with a 65 year old Stanford grad CEO, and there are quite a few of those.  I'm happy and comfortable and I went to a good school, but i don't think there's ever been a time when I've been angling for a promotion or interviewing for a job when I wouldn't have preferred a Stanford degree.  And I think that's more along the lines of what she's thinking, not so much that a Stanford degree leads to a sinecure.

My oldest son just switched jobs to a smokin' hot startup, funded by A-list money.  He had been in a pool of salespeople which included friends of his who happened to have the same alma mater as me.  He was one of their best salespeople, but he doesn't get a sniff at that job without an Ivy degree.

[Mick]

Well, as we consider what an 18 year old might mean by "set for life" I think the case can be made for that statement.  Our degrees do not magically end our need to work hard--it is not like winning a national lottery.  But everyone on this board who has trumpeted "the 40 year decision" is in fact saying that the degree "sets us up" for successful lives in a way that few other universities can match.  Taken that way, I think Dijonai has it right.

...speaking as someone who did not matriculate from Stanford, I know exactly what she's talking about.  Your degree follows you everywhere you go for the rest of your life.  A 23 year old Stanford grad has something in common with a 65 year old Stanford grad CEO, and there are quite a few of those.  I'm happy and comfortable and I went to a good school, but i don't think there's ever been a time when I've been angling for a promotion or interviewing for a job when I wouldn't have preferred a Stanford degree.  And I think that's more along the lines of what she's thinking, not so much that a Stanford degree leads to a sinecure.

My oldest son just switched jobs to a smokin' hot startup, funded by A-list money.  He had been in a pool of salespeople which included friends of his who happened to have the same alma mater as me.  He was one of their best salespeople, but he doesn't get a sniff at that job without an Ivy degree.