As someone who essentially took that path, I can't recommend it. My parents and I had saved up a decent college fund ($100k or so), but instead of using that to go to Top School I took the chance on a school which offered me a full ride.
Sure, I'll be graduating about ~$140k better off than most other students. But over the lifetime of a successful tech entrepreneur that amount of money is fairly meaningless. Having spent a significant amount of time on top campuses (where most of my friends went), I often regret making that decision—the caliber of students is truly higher, and the friends/networks you have from a school like Harvard will pay dividends throughout life.
Get the best of both worlds and do a master's at a top notch school.
That's my story. I went to good-but-not-world-renowned state school for undergrad on a full ride. I did my best to wring the absolute most out of that experience, and it paid off in many ways, including a fellowship that paid for my master's at an Ivy. Most grad students don't get plugged into "the network", but I went out of my way to engage in campus life. In the process, I'm fairly positive I built just as good of a network as if I had attended for undergrad.
Point being, everywhere you are has something to offer. Make the most of your situation!
> Get the best of both worlds and do a master's at a top notch school.
Glad that worked out for you.
To be clear, my school is actually extraordinarily good academically (we're privately funded by an oil fortune)—it's just that the prestige of the name and student's isn't quite at Ivy quality.
> Point being, everywhere you are has something to offer. Make the most of your situation!
I'm doing my best, and doing pretty well (making 6 figures as a college sophomore), so my regrets are more social/intellectual than monetary. Though sometimes I wonder if YC would have accepted me if I had advertised my Ivy League stamps of approval (acceptance letters)...
Maybe I'll go to Harvard when I get tired of developing and decide to "pivot" into management/finance.
Though sometimes I wonder if YC would have accepted me if I had advertised my Ivy League stamps of approval (acceptance letters)...
Be glad you didn't. I don't think it would have sent a positive sign. Frankly, no one wants to hear about the things you didn't do, and things like acceptance letters and SAT scores don't matter going forward.
Life is going to be filled with tough calls. Sometimes, you may have 5 promising but exclusive options to choose from. You can't make the most of the path you've taken while wasting mental energy on the ones you didn't. Take it from someone who wasted a lot of mental energy on such things before learning not to.
You said elsewhere you go to NYU -- what's stopping you from maximizing your social and intellectual opportunities?
> Be glad you didn't. I don't think it would have sent a positive sign. Frankly, no one wants to hear about the things you didn't do, and things like acceptance letters and SAT scores don't matter going forward.
I know (it's why I don't usually go around talking about how I could have gone to Harvard). Though it does sadden me that the VC and tech ecosystem is almost as prestige-focused as Wall Street.
> You said elsewhere you go to NYU -- what's stopping you from maximizing your social and intellectual opportunities?
Mostly that I don't have much commonality with those around me. Everyone seems to be focused on getting the "right" internship and studying, while I'd like to have meaningful conversations about intellectually intriguing topics. Plus, my general lack of social skills and nerdiness at a school which is decidedly not nerdy.
Mostly that I don't have much commonality with those around me. Everyone seems to be focused on getting the "right" internship and studying, while I'd like to have meaningful conversations about intellectually intriguing topics. Plus, my general lack of social skills and nerdiness at a school which is decidedly not nerdy.
What you describe socially/environmentally sounds a lot like the typical Ivy League experience. Gossip, politics, inner circles within inner circles, who-you-know, etc.
Fortunately, social skills are something you can improve, if you set your mind to it. That's one reason I'm really glad I did my college experience in the order I did. I don't think I could have truly taken advantage of my grad school experience if not for going to undergrad someplace where everyone wasn't constantly jockeying to get ahead.
I'm sure you have more commonality with people than you think. Being adept socially is all about finding those commonalities. Usually, that means being able to step out of your own head to empathize with what other people's social needs are. The most social people I know have a way of making other people feel like the most interesting person in the world.
It sounds like you've got a lot going for you, and if you're a sophomore now, you've got a lot of time to figure everything out. Best of luck. Drop me a line if you want to grab a coffee or something. I went to NYU for my second grad school experience :)
For what it's worth I went to Cambridge (UK) and didn't really build a network of useful friends and contacts. You often have to work at that stuff and I was a bit of a geek / not extra social. You can always do it deliberately later through something like MBAs, YC etc. I had a friend who had a good time and made lots of high power contacts doing the UCLA Executive MBA later in life. The brand recognition of the name is handy - people assume you are bright in a way they wouldn't if you go to a no name place.
> If you're making 6 figures as a sophomore, have you considered putting in apps to transfer to some of the top tier selective colleges? Couldn't hurt.
I've considered it, but HYPS essentially don't accept transfers. Plus, being in New York for the next year is very helpful professionally (I currently attend NYU).
Listen to this man. Going to a top school has a massive effect on your luck surface area.
Given that the best course materials can increasingly be found online, the only benefit of a school is its social network, in which the elite schools have a formidable monopoly.
Sure, I'll be graduating about ~$140k better off than most other students. But over the lifetime of a successful tech entrepreneur that amount of money is fairly meaningless. Having spent a significant amount of time on top campuses (where most of my friends went), I often regret making that decision—the caliber of students is truly higher, and the friends/networks you have from a school like Harvard will pay dividends throughout life.