WH

This has gotten to be one of the silliest threads ever on this board, but it sure is an amusing read.

I went to UMass and I am biased - I don't think any of these schools are better, and certainly not for what I studied. So there!

Nor can anyone persuade me otherwise since NO ONE has attended all these institutions. And nobody can. Most of us attend one or two colleges and that's it. Therefore it's impossible to judge. And US News' rankings? Please.

In my professional life, I have met people from all sorts of institutions who are well educated and darn smart. Never noticed any school, not even Harvard or other Ivies, producing smarter people than other places.

Bona84

Well said, WH. Crazy thread. Having said that, Bonas is not to be confused with Harvard. But, I received an excellent education, both in the classroom and outside the classroom. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Prepared me very well for life, professionally, and perhaps more importantly, in other more important aspects of life.

We love our cult.

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Bona84

res

Of course you have. So have the rest of us. That doesn't negate the fact that are real differences between the general academics of various institutions. What importance one places on those differences and whether or not they can be easily measured are two separate questions.

And if you really think this is one of the silliest threads ever on this board, WH, you took a longer sabbatical than I realized.

WH

Sure, there are real differences. But no, I don't think they can be measured. Heck, you can find big differences in the same school across disciplines.

I came across a major study a few years ago that showed the choice of one's college has little bearing on a person's success over a long career. Schools with good reps help you get your foot in the door, but after five years that advantage fades. Success and reputation in the workplace eventually supercede educational background.

No matter. I am happy with my choice of school and hope everyone else is, too.

And yes, res, I did take a long sabbatical. That's how I manage to miss even sillier threads. (-:

res

I have seen the same study and I agree with it and you. I have a sophomore in high school and have been waging a battle trying to keep my wife calm on this exact issue.

But that's a different argument than whether some schools are more academically rigorous than others (fully recognizing your point about academic rigor varying among individual departments within a school). As just one of many off-topic threads started during the off-season, however, I don't find it particularly silly. Of considerably less importance than peoples' opinions of various malt whiskeys, of course, but not silly.

Bona84

Don't sell malt whiskeys short, res. They are incredibly important.

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Bona84

res

I believe that's what I wrote, '84. My wife has never understood me. Now you?

WH

Had me a Highland Park 18-year-old the other day. Almost the perfect scotch. Bit of smoke and peat, hint of sweet and malt, smooth and refined. A weighty whiskey that conceals its power with a multitude of charms.

Or maybe I have been reading too many scotch reviews! (-:

Bona84

I'll have to try that one. I've had the 12 year old. I have to say that my taste for the smoky ones is coming around. But, I have to say that I haven't really figured out what peat tastes like. Sampled plenty of single malts on a golfing pilgrimage to Scotland in July.

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Bona84

Bona84

Sorry res. I guess I read your post too quickly. I'll have to do better on a go-forward basis. Careful reading comprehension is crucial to an online discussion forum. Particularly one as important as this one.

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Bona84

xu95

I'm thinking you guys are on the wrong messageboard for this discussion.

Bona84

Not at all, xu95. I sometimes sit down with a nice scotch whisky when I tune into an A-10 game on the Dunga Network. Seems relevant to me.

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Bona84

Bona Wolf for Pope

This is what I've been saying.*

*It is actually a direct quote lifted from the Bandwagon about four years ago. As we all know, "careful," "reading," and "discussion" are sometimes in short supply there.

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"Careful reading comprehension is crucial to an online forum discussion."

Bona84

I know Wolf. Like your tag line.

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Bona84

res

So what? So are good grammar, logical argument, and wit. We love it just the same.