The Ivy Plus Society

UCBChemEGrad
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:59:30 +0000

Despite the air of educational exclusivity, there were no Ivy Plus police to bar anyone who went to a college further down the U.S. News & World Report rankings. “If you’re hearing about the events, you’re probably connected to this academic community,” Ms. Anderson said, “and we certainly welcome you to attend.”

That sat well with Jessica Habib, 31, who attended even though neither of her alma maters, Wesleyan or Fordham Law, are on the Ivy Plus list. “I feel like I travel in these circles,” said Ms. Habib, a corporate lawyer, who was not bothered by the omission of her colleges. “Although, Wesleyan calls itself a potted ivy,” she said, thinking twice about it, before determining the list seemed a little arbitrary.

Michal Albanese, a sales executive for a fashion trade show who graduated from Brown in 1999, confirmed that the list did breed insecurity in some at the group’s last party. A couple of guests were called out for not having gone to Ivy Plus universities, she said, and one gentleman began rattling off his other accomplishments.

“The guy went to, like, Illinois,” she said, trying to recall the college.

“I don’t remember,” she added. ”But his friend kept saying, ‘You’re not even a plus.’ ”

Definitely CCers. :rolleyes:



“If you wanted to describe these schools, these are all highly selective, academically rigorous institutions,” she said, although social reputations also come into play. “The Duke people are so much fun. There’s just some schools you want to make sure you include.”

Interesting that it’s implied from the founder that Duke was not included in the “society” on an academic basis… ;)