Date: July 6th, 2008 10:58 AM Author: Cobalt Associate
It is well known by educated people on both coasts. However, people from the east coast tend to view it as a backup for the lesser ivy league schools. I've not lived on the West Coast, but I'd assume that the same is true. People from the midwest hold it in higher regard. The result is that the dumbest kids in each class hail from the coasts.
Date: July 6th, 2008 11:14 AM Author: Magical ultramarine blood rage bawdyhouse
*EDIT BY ME*
Northwestern is unique, similar to UChicago with more fun. The previous idiot babble was true (pointing out that theres a large Chicago vibe more than an international bliss -- but thats currently because of the unavoidable drama over Obama's national calumny, who spoke at NU graduation in 2006) but overstrewn and pugnacious.
in my experience in asia and europe it's unknown among lay people. the only schools with commonly recognized and prestigious names there are the ivies, stanford, MIT, and berkeley. but i think NU's well known and respected internationally in academic circles.
Date: July 6th, 2008 9:48 PM Author: dead house digit ratio
The only schools that cut it are amongst white collar professionals in Asia from a recognition perspective are Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT, Caltech and Berkeley (also Columbia or Chicago if you are moving in financial circles).
In contrast, Brown or Dartmouth by itself would get you blank stares. The way to name drop would be by making a reference to the Ivy League, which well educated people in Japan, South Korea and Singapore definitely know (they even have their own Ivy League copies, e.g. the SKY schools).
Date: July 7th, 2008 12:19 AM Author: electric blue indian lodge shitlib Subject: interesting situation for Brown and Dartmouth...
But it still seems like too much explaining to do.
"I went to Dartmouth."
(silence)
:sigh: "...of the Ivy League."
I am surprised that Brown and Dartmouth aren't more recognized. Even if they are recognized as Ivy League institutions, are they seen as reputable as HYPSM?
Date: July 7th, 2008 2:38 AM Author: Magical ultramarine blood rage bawdyhouse
In the 90s, Dartmouth was the unintimidating, but respectable alternative to HYP.
NOT Upenn.
Brown hardly advertises.
Oh, and telling people where you went? If you go there, they already know. Maybe its the voice. Maybe its the devilish charm. And people aren't nearly as sharp as they were years ago about keeping things in perspective with Bush's intiatives and policies. Those of us who KNOW are either obsessive or privileged.
Date: July 7th, 2008 9:31 AM Author: Free-loading Supple Lodge
It always makes me laugh when people ask if the laypeople overseas have heard of a particular school.
If you need Han Jun Kim in South Korea to be impressed when you tell him where you go to school, maybe you should reconsider your college decisions.
The only practical reason why overseas prestige may matter is in the job market, and most competent employers in other countries will have heard of prestigious American schools.
Date: July 7th, 2008 11:01 AM Author: electric blue indian lodge shitlib
"The only practical reason why overseas prestige may matter is in the job market."
Well we were talking about white collar professionals. But yeah, my concern isn't that your average Kim in Korea knows the school I attended but that people in business, politics and social circles know.
Sferret, what have you gotten about Dartmouth overseas?
Date: July 7th, 2008 11:04 AM Author: Brindle stage ratface
Are social circles really that important? Is it that socially offensive to have gone to a school that the people you encounter either haven't heard of or don't consider elite? This seems like it would REALLY matter in only a small handful of uber-pretentious east-coast (particularly New York) social strata.
Date: July 7th, 2008 9:08 PM Author: Exhilarant center prole
As far as the US goes this is spot-on, particularly with regard to NYC law and big money circles. But in Japan, Korea, and China you'll run into the same degree, or even a higher degree, of prestige mongering among white collar types. If you went to HYP, MIT, Stanford or Berkeley these people will instantly respect you. If you didn't, they'll maintain scrutiny.
Date: July 7th, 2008 9:32 PM Author: Brindle stage ratface
I've lived in China, so I'm aware of this attitude. I've gotta say that I didn't find this to be the case to the extent that you're claiming. Korea and Japan might be different, though--I have no idea.
Date: July 7th, 2008 9:50 PM Author: Exhilarant center prole
So you met people in China that knew of Northwestern? I could be wrong, I've spent a lot more time in Japan than the other two, and specifically around University of Tokyo circles, and I remember them not recognizing anything beyond HYPSMB. It seemed the same with my (limited) experiences in China and Korea, but again this was limited. Did the Chinese, in your experience, have a more detailed understanding of American elite schools?
Date: July 7th, 2008 11:16 AM Author: Brindle stage ratface
Speaking as somebody who actually attended Northwestern (and not, as most people on this thread, as somebody who just thinks they know what they're talking about):
NU's reputation is fine. The only people it's going to blow away are people who are blown away by just about any top-20 school. That being said, it is known and respected in academic circles, and with the exception of a few extremely selective hedge funds (places like DE Shaw, which only recruits at HYPS and Columbia [because the founder is an alum, not because Columbia is on the level of HYPS]), you can find a job in any sector with just about any organization/firm, depending on your ability level.
Overseas, it's known by the people who matter--employers, academics, etc.
It's probably a notch below the middle/lower Ivies on the NYC cocktail party "my-kid-went-to-Brand-Name-University" scene, but in practical terms, you're no worse off graduating from NU (or Hopkins or UChicago, or probably even WUSTL) than you are graduating from a place like Penn CAS.
Date: July 7th, 2008 9:22 PM Author: Exhilarant center prole
Link? Didn't they have nearly identical SAT's this year? Either way, in common perception Northwestern is considered a solidly elite school - lumped together with Hopkins, Chicago, and Duke - and WUSTL is thought to be behind this crowd.