Are There Advantages for Rich Kids at Ivy League Schools? (Other Paths to Success for the Non Rich)

The Spirit of Education
1934
Norman Rockwell
Representing how support
and role modeling can often
help in the education
process. Education
supports democracy and 
liberty.

An interesting article delves into the value of elite education to students and what types of jobs graduates of these schools are employed. The publication presents statistics and perspective on how elite education can influence our lives and opportunities.  I browsed the analysis and enjoyed the authors approach to discussing an important topic in our society of what factors lead to some or our top positions. We may also extend the concept to also consider how we can improve overall adaptability through providing opportunities for different demographics in a broad based manner so as encourage higher position obtainment that contributes to the development of the whole nation (We can all go upward and that would be a remarkable thing. That requires pathways to development.)

What I will say is that there are advantages that come from attending an Ivy league school. Wealthier kids do regularly get more opportunities than others and that is pretty normal in almost any society. They have money, they have good benefits, strong teachers, and lots of recreational activities. They also have parents that are typically successful so they have home based models that help them. Lots of times more supportive networks of higher education (When I started graduate school people used to tell me I was too educated . In hindsight I can see some truth in that but not the way they saw it. I'm thinking about how education changes perceptions and often your social circles and responsibilities. Many students similarly don't have all the great support so when they do succeed, it is because they overcame many other social factors and economic problems. In other words, they were tested by live life with few resources but still had an upward trajectory. Can't get more elite in education than that! They know the details of how that works in a way that can't always be taught.)

There are other differences we should consider as well. The way in which the schools use language, orient their work toward a particular role level in society and set the culture expectations through a right of passage identity influences open doors (Remember most upper level jobs are filled by people within one's social and work networks. I think I read that statistic somewhere. Somewhere around 75% of professional jobs are filled without going to the general public.). 

The Problem We All Live With
1964
Norman Rockwell
Representing the need to 
for education to our population 
and the struggles some face
that others never deal with.

There could be some risk from a societal standpoint if there is not enough circulation between social societal layers (Used to be broad classes but there are more factors now, with lots of levels, so layers seems more appropriate) and avenues for new leaders to come forward and take positions that lead to healthy societal adjustments to the environment. New ideas and new thoughts often lead to faster rates of change (Sometimes fast change is helpful and other times it is not. I believe moderate and steady change in society is to ensure everything adapts evenly with the least amount of hiccups. The immediate change and the long tail impact of change.)

Think of it this way. All societies must change and adjust to succeed in the long run. Typically this occurs on a much slower pace such as generation to generation as each generation overcomes the challenges of their era (i.e. Industrial Era, Digital Era, etc. are often spurred by world happenings and a need to meet those challenges.) That is naturally fostered through the ability to encourage motivated striving in society. This is also why I push "over the horizon" thinking that leads to novelty and better performance through consistent change.

As with all things in life, there is a balance to everything as we need stability as well as adaptability that requires knowing the optimum change-stability mix. How we approach opportunity is often deeply embedded into our society and each society will have an approach even if they do not know it (i.e. their culture is deeply embedded into economics). The U.S. could capitalize on having a strong flow of new wealth and opportunity from each of the layers of societal stratification (You don't have to take from the currently wealthy but you do need to put diversity and human capital to work to expand the opportunities.)

If you went to an Ivy league school you should be happy for the blessing in your life. Also consider the other places where people learn and develop their skills. The doors may not be as open as we would like, yet we still grasp that different perspectives are what creates an opportunity to craft more effective strategic options. Diversity of thought and perspective fosters new and unexplored avenues for this country. Other options to the top should be fostered for those of us who are not so blessed (I learned that through the school of hard knocks. In may ways life is a school but we can discuss later.)

To me, its helpful to ensure that our form of capitalism fosters as many opportunities to improve oneself and obtain goals as possible. Furthermore, it also helps to create broad based motivation that helps to encourage people to enhance their human capital based on our sociological historical lines of thinking. There are "go getters" in our country who when given a pathway can exceed just as much or more than our more polished members society (Both are needed in a growing system. Both can have high performers but the pathways are different and the rewards are not always well balanced based on merit alone. Tea anyone?). 

In other words, to have higher performing society to compete with other nations, then there should be a balance in the top positions between the elite and the nonelite. We need enough diversity to grease the wheels of ideation and put those ideas to good use for the nation. Elite education is helpful to the whole system but only will be helpful if there is a balance of freshness of thought and people to ensure circulation (There are sociological potential benefits to socialized eliteness as a communication and shared perspective for decision making. However, if there are not new people those advantages can dissipate when decision making capacity becomes culturally too narrow to find new solutions. Lack of diversity at thought can cause societal problems if the general system is not sufficiently overcoming environmental challenges). Stepping back can realize the value of both and help in finding the balance.

Performance of preparation (education) and performance of actuality (actualized) are different. The best and brightest are not confined only to the halls of elite schools (They are good schools and most of the time they are also good quality. Can't take that away. There is a reason why they persisted throughout the generations.) but higher performance can come from any common man or woman on the street when given half an opportunity. I'm ok with elite schools as long as elite performance is defined by more than brand. Good quality is the name of the game. (That is not my opinion on elite schools. I like some and not others but find them to be another way to learn. However, who your learning with sometimes defines what types of jobs you get. I make no judgment on that because there are many ways to look at the same issue. You have to make your own judgement. I think of the strategic and systems aspect of it).

New Study Investigates Why Elite Colleges Favor Rich Kids

*These articles are for learning and discussion purposes. They are not really written only for opinion but also because they provoke thought. Provoking thought allows people to move deeper. Sometimes people get furious when you say things they don't agree with so these are meant to provide an alternative explanation to things. They are not necessary facts or falsehoods. They are left to your personal perception.