Selective Schools Aren't the Only Ones that Produce Successful Grads

So yesterday I posted about the stress of getting into college. Given the competitive nature of admission to the most selective schools, it would be understandable if you spend your time worrying whether you’ll get into the “right school.” Understandable, but unnecessary.

As I mentioned yesterday, schools need good students more than good students need them. Successful high school students tend to be successful individuals after college. This is true regardless of the selectivity of the college they attend.

I’d like to back this statement up with some specific examples. First, let’s look at super-rich-guy Warren Buffett. He’s CEO of a stock holding company (Berkshire Hathaway), but he’s more well-known for being the world’s richest person on two separate occasions.

While Buffett started his undergraduate schooling at the very prestigious and selective University of Pennsylvania, he left before graduating. His destination? The still-great but decidedly less-selective University of Nebraska—Lincoln (last year UNL admitted 62% of its applicants). He earned his bachelor of science degree in Business Administration from UNL.

Fast forward to 2007 and this UNL alumnus is on Time magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. This year, President Obama plans to give him a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Not too shabby.

Now check out this list of top Fortune 500 companies—each one’s CEO graduated from a relatively accessible undergraduate school:

Bank of America (#5 on 2010 Fortune 500 list)

CEO attended Georgia State University (52% of applicants accepted in 2010)

AT&T (#7)

CEO attended University of Central Oklahoma (69% of applicants accepted in 2010)

Ford Motor Company (#8)

CEO attended University of Kansas (91 % of applicants accepted in 2010)

Hewlett-Packard (#10)

CEO attended Baylor University (50% of applicants accepted in 2010)

AIG (#16)

CEO attended Alfred University (70% of applicants accepted in 2010)

CVS (#18)

CEO attended University of Rhode Island (78% of applicants accepted in 2010)

Wells Fargo (#19)

CEO attended Saint Cloud State University (76% of applicants accepted in 2010)

Not that making money is all there is to life, but . . . you know.