The Prestige Gap: Ivy Reject School?

cptofthehouse
Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:50:33 +0000

I agree with WCAS. I’ve known a number of kids who have accepted NW over those peer schools that he mentions. What NW has, in addition, to top students is close access to Chicago, a main city, and yet a safe campus.

I think every school loses students to HYP et al. As for professors, many a professor will leave even the top schools if he can get a better deal at another. I know NYU made a very successful bid for a top rate economics department and raided many more selective schools. If you know you the chances of moving up higher in the college where you are working is low due to who is already there with seniority and status, you would consider moving to another school where you would have more say and control. This happens with hospitals as well. It’s not just the prestige of the institution that is important. Pay, freedom, control, status, etc all weigh in heavily as well, and are more important in combination than prestige of work place.