I’m willing to bet that in the long run the math still works out for the Ivies (especially the top three). But that doesn’t even tell the whole story.
What if you want to get into law, MBA or med school? Having that Ivy undergrad will give you a better shot of getting in. And then after med school having that pedigree will again help you matching for residency at a better place.
That’s right, and don’t even think of applying to some law firms or financial firms if you haven’t got the Ivy degree, sometimes particularly to the undergrad level.
Contacts? Introductions? The leg up for your next generation? There’s a reason so many upper middle class families make themselves miserable trying to get their kids in to the right school.
Sounds as bad as affirmative action.
I not sure I want a surgeon cutting on me who got into med school or a "good" residency because he has connections.
He may just be a talentless hack who's going to butcher me. How would I know?