RJM posted:The purpose of going to the best college possible is to have the most possible doors opened when entering the working world. But ultimately you have to prove yourself. Yes, there are other side benefits that may not ultimately matter.**
But don’t you think a motivated, highly intelligent, high IQ person who attended an Ivy would ultimately get to the same place professionally if he attended Wossamottah U.
** A friend of mine, a farm boy from Nebraska went to Harvard for football and he was bright. He married a Wellesley girl from a generationally wealthy Brahmin Boston family looking for a Harvard boy. Anything else would have been unacceptable to her family.
It took a long time for the family to accept him. I think it was when he became a senior partner in one of the top private equity firms in the world and worked out of the London office they accepted him.
It cracked me up at the Hyannisport Country Club when snobs would snicker quietly, “You know, he’s not from money.” I would think to myself, “He’s wealthier than all of you. AND, he earned it.”
Great story! Happiness & success are obviously defined for everyone differently.. While I appreciate & applaud your friend's accomplishment & success, to me personally, I'm not sure pursuing wealth beyond the things one wants to do in life proves - in the end - worth sacrificing the more precious commodity of time required sometimes to do it.. That's a very deeply individual life choice.
To the idea of a "Wellesley girl from a generationally wealthy Brahmin Boston family" I'd say, better him than my son. Hey if it happens it happens.. Can't control who you love.. But we'd not be getting together with the in-laws much for that spot of tea dahhling, or a round at the club - I'm afraid.. I'll skip the club & spend another couple months at the beach. To each our own!
And as to the concept of "having the best doors opened to you" - some may have a difference of opinions on what those "best doors" are..
Finally; "don’t you think a motivated, highly intelligent, high IQ person who attended an Ivy would ultimately get to the same place professionally if he attended Wossamottah U"
Maybe not the "same place professionally" as many in society view it.. But the "same place" as I personally (just me, not you, not others.. lol) define LIFE success? (which I personally place over professional success in-and-of itself)
..then, YES - yes I DO!
I'm successful enough to be content & comfortable in my life - & that's what, along with good health, I hope for with my kids.
But yet again - probably another conversation, for another forum.. Cheers.. 😛
and thank you again for your comments!