Maggie's Farm

You are missing a very important piece of this argument--that is the part about how sophisticated the parents of the young college student were when they were raising their little darling. Some parents come from very sophisticate 5th generation families who have been in leadership roles for 150 years in the same industry. That background gives little Joannie an edge whether you want to acknowledge it's existence or not. Little Ayisha (first in family to attend any kind of school) will always be much farther away from the inner circle of higher level understanding. Note--I did not say accomplishment--I said understanding. State colleges are a waste of money unless--UNLESS they have built a particular department that excels in it's field. Otherwise--put a headset on little Becky and tell her to go online for her humanities education. NOW, what about the mediocre students from wealthy families--they will be mediocre no matter what school they go to. Going to an ivy school gives them an in with the "next generation of wealth". That's all. BUT, let's not forget the "leaders in the field". Wealthy schools can afford and frequently do "hire the best in the field". If that person is excited about teaching the students are ahead in that field. If that teacher only sends in T/A working on their Ph.D to lecture undergrads--well, not much is going to happen! So, state schools attract the least for faculty (low wages) and therefore the least (students). ON OCCASION, as I said--a state school may by chance develop a great program in some unique specialty--timber, fiber arts, agriculture, etc. SO--dear Republicans--don't confuse your bumperstickers with facts!