<p>My college (a Big Ten state flagship research university) had a big impact on me, but mostly because working my way through it put me deeply into the working class for quite a few years. If I had been at any other kind of college on scholarship, my whole launch into adulthood would have been very different. So I don’t have a strong connection to my alma mater, although I would be happy if any of my children attended it, as long as they don’t have to go there in conditions of such unremitting poverty. </p>
<p>After edit: having read replies above, yes, I would say living abroad after college was much more formative of my personality than going to college. And I met my wife during my stay overseas, so that influence is still ongoing.</p>