Many times in my tutoring career, IB DP students have seeked my advice on whether they should attend an extremely prestigious university or college — usually top of the university league tables like Oxford, Cambridge, LSE or Warwick — to study a course they are not completely sold on, or alternatively attend a slightly less well renowned academic institution but pursue a degree they have their heart set on. The answer to this question is not a straightforward one and as I believe it varies on a case-by-case basis. Precisely for this reason I provide mentoring on how to best choose your ideal university and subject course. However, let me briefly outline below how I generally think about this whole topic of discussion.
When it is best to prioritize a university or college brand name
Choosing a university or college because of its reputation and prestige can be the correct choice when a student has their heart set on a career in a field that does not require a degree in a specific subject. This was my case when I was graduating from high school, as I wanted to break into the world of investment banking. Indeed, investment banking attracts students with a wide range of bachelor’s degrees, including the obvious ones like Finance, Economics and Maths, but also less obvious ones like English Literature, Geography and History, just to name a few. Alternatively, I would recommend students to attend a top-tier university like Oxbridge purely for the sake of its brand name if they are not entirely sure on what career they want to enter upon graduating from college or university. Indeed, all things equal, attending a top-tier college or university — one that consistently makes the top of the university league tables — will be extremely well respected by employers across a whole range of industries and therefore will open a lot of doors for students, allowing them the flexibility of keeping their options open as they approach graduation.
When it is best to prioritize a university or college course name
Choosing to attend a university because of the subject one will pursue, rather than opting to attend a higher ranked academic institution, can also be the right choice under certain circumstances. For instance, if one has his or her heart set on a very niche or highly technical career, one which requires studies in a specific field, then the degree name is far more important than the university name on one’s CV. Similarly, if a specific course, despite being taught at a less prestigious university, will allow the student to hone certain skills which the student feels need polishing, then this can also be a valid reason to prioritize a university for its course degree rather than for its strong brand reputation.
Ultimately however, let me emphasize that no degree or university choice will pigeon-hole a candidate and close doors to his or her success when entering the world of work. Whilst it is true that what you study and where you study is definitely important, attending a top-tier university or college will only get you so far as to securing a job interview, or helping you get a foot in the door of an organization or firm for an entry-level position. That’s because in the long-run, those who will work hardest, and with most passion, will always come out on top and be the most successful, regardless of what their resume says about where and what they studied.