Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
Americans often have a much more passionate connection to their alma mater than Canadians do (sports programs help). Canadian universities are trying to build up the same sense of loyalty.
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Definitely, in the US, where you went to school is a huge deal. It's not only a source of pride, but also often important in determining your social and business circle. It's one of the first things that comes up when you meet someone at a party, and people make judgments about you on it. At a lot of places if you don't make the cut in terms of the right college, you have no chance. My American wife used to work in a place that only hired graduates from Pratt (a relatively prestigious art school) because that's where the principal went.
It's engrained in them pretty early. Even though she hasn't been in one in a decade, I can sask my wife about pretty much any major college in the US, and she can give me a solid opinion about it in terms of its reputation and what programs it's known for.