“For example, the idea that elite colleges somehow are keys to better internships. Because why? Apparently the assertion comes from the perception that elite colleges set up more specialized or valuable internships for their students than are available elsewhere – and I honestly don’t know where that idea comes from. I doubt there is any data to support that.”
I’m the one proposing a version of that theory. Not necessarily in regards to elite colleges, but in regards to well respected programs. My opinion is based on:
- Personal experience hiring interns. At every company where I’ve done this for 20 years in accounting, finance and engineering work, we definitely seek to hire interns from the well-respected programs and rarely even interview potential interns from other programs. Companies only looking to hire a few interns generally go directly to a well regarded program to recruit the interns rather than openly advertise positions.
- College tours and discussions with students at various programs. The internship opportunities described at top programs were substantially more extensive and impressive than those at less well regarded programs.
- Logic.