I agree with your points, Swampboy.
I am just going to make the following statement, not specifically directed to you or anyone in particular.
If the chances of achieving success in a chosen field coming from a great school...let's call it Harvard....are say 70%, and the chances coming from a school with a lesser reputation...let's call it anything except East Armpit U.....are say 30%, I would want to know that information, and everything else being equal, I would recommend that someone who has the choice should go to Harvard.