Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by nylibride

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Posted by nov04LIbride

Further, I think any idiot can get a Master's, and any motivated idiot can get a doctorate!

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I was about to get my knickers in a twist for a second, and then I thought...hmmm...this is totally TRUE!!! When I think of some of the wack jobs and freakshows that they let into our doctoral program....wow! I really think if you can get yourself in AND are willing to put up with a lot of shyte, you're golden....

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Are you in my program?

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

To add to this, Peter Jennings didn't even complete High School!

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by nov04LIbride

Further, I think any idiot can get a Master's, and any motivated idiot can get a doctorate!

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I guess that makes me a happy idiot

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by jes81276

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Posted by tourist

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Posted by Goldi1021

I am an educator and anyone in my building who has permanent certification to teach in the State of New York must have a master's degree. However, you would be surprised at the number of permanently certified teachers who do not know that the word 'nickel' is not spelled N-I-C-K-L-E. This is horrifying to me. There are people who hold nothing more than a high school diploma who read the New York Times everyday. They often write, spell and speak better than some doctors and lawyers. JMO.

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Exactly--sometimes you can sense how educated a person is, by the content of their post, but it is not neccessarily formal education.

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I completely agree about the content of the post. Additionally, we all mess up on spelling - that's part of using a keyboard. One thing that does stick out like a sore thumb is when people write and use the wrong spellings - like witch one should I use, or we got out pitchers taken - that stuff drives me crazy!!!!!! I guess that is the teacher in me..

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You are right. I understand misspelled words when using a keyboard. People often type in haste and do not always use spell check. However, when educators do not spell words correctly, it irks me to no end. I am sorry, but there is no room for error on the part of a teacher in the classroom. I am sure many would agree. If I cannot spell a word, I look it up. A dictionary is a powerful tool. If only more people would use it.

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by luckybride2004

To add to this, Peter Jennings didn't even complete High School!

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i know i just saw that on tv he dropped out sophmore year!!! holy crap that is amazing!

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by Goldi1021

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Posted by nov04LIbride

Further, I think any idiot can get a Master's, and any motivated idiot can get a doctorate!

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I guess that makes me a happy idiot

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Hey, don't get me wrong, I am allowed to say that because I see what idiots are getting doctorates with me.

But seriously, someone in my program actually did her dissertation researching students in the NYU law school. Success and graduation rates had no correlation with either IQ scores or scores on the LSAT, it was tied only to motivation and drive to succeed.

Liz is one of the most talented young writers I have read, and I think with creative writing sometimes the more time you spend in the classroom, the more inhibited your writing becomes.

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

my boss has a masters and cant write or type so you cant judge a book by its cover.

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

I never use correct spelling/grammar on internet posts or IM's, and I know my education level, so I can't judge someone else's. Plus I am typing it so fast sometimes I hit the wrong key.

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

This is a tough question. Ultimately, I think that it is impossible to tell a poster's education level from his/her grammar, spelling, and so forth. Writing skills do not necessarily reflect education. Many people whose strengths are in science or math cannot write at all. Many excellent writers can barely add or subtract, and many talented authors could never tell you how photosynthesis works or what the system of checks and balances involves.

The 'school education' versus 'street education' is an interesting question as well, but the issue becomes murky here. Many people have both types of education. Some people might glorify one type of education over another -- a useless and irritating debate, in my opinion. (It's not necessarily 'better' to get a Ph.D. from Harvard, or 'better' to learn common sense after dropping out of high school and living by one's wits. Weirdly, I've seen both of these types of snobbery here in the U.S.)

Having said these things, when I take into consideration a writer's overall style, I sometimes think I can discern which posters truly enjoy writing, and which ones write as a 'means to an end' -- for the sole purpose of communicating with people, for example. I would never place bets on my ability to guess, though!

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by dgtlsunshine

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Posted by brooklynbridezilla

I wasn't trying to be snarky with this question, I was just wondering.

I have never been able to guess with any accuracy.

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I didn't mean to come off that way. I really wanted you to guess b/c from my post I am sure my education level would be a surprise.

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I seriously have NO idea!

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by sweetadeline

It's not necessarily 'better' to get a Ph.D. from Harvard, or 'better' to learn common sense after dropping out of high school and living by one's wits.

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You are right. My sister has an IVY education and I do not. Guess what? We work in the same place and do the same job. The paper they give you means nothing. It is what you do with that paper that has meaning. I for one can take my diplomas and make a hat, a brooch or a pterodactyl.

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by Goldi1021

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Posted by sweetadeline

It's not necessarily 'better' to get a Ph.D. from Harvard, or 'better' to learn common sense after dropping out of high school and living by one's wits.

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You are right. My sister has an IVY education and I do not. Guess what? We work in the same place and do the same job. The paper they give you means nothing. It is what you do with that paper that has meaning. I for one can take my diplomas and make a hat, a brooch or a pterodactyl.

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I think your origami skills sound awesome!!!!!!

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

A little off topic here, but to prove a point about education/experience. My boss is the CIO of a major investment firm and she has a bachelors from a private local school but not IVY league. She is the 3 highest ranking female officer in the firm. I think that's pretty amazing.

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by Goldi1021

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Posted by sweetadeline

It's not necessarily 'better' to get a Ph.D. from Harvard, or 'better' to learn common sense after dropping out of high school and living by one's wits.

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You are right. My sister has an IVY education and I do not. Guess what? We work in the same place and do the same job. The paper they give you means nothing. It is what you do with that paper that has meaning. I for one can take my diplomas and make a hat, a brooch or a pterodactyl.

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I see your point, but these posts about ivy league confuse me. I went to an ivy league school, my brother went to an ivy league school, my cousins all went to ivy league schools. We didn't go because it is a guarantee of future financial success, or a guarantee of future success in general, but because those schools pushed us harder than many others, and because were surrounded by some of the best and brightest minds in the country. Not everyone who goes to an ivy league school does it to become a CEO or work on Wall Street (though many do), and obviously graduates from other schools, or who haven't attended college can achieve the same success. My brother then went on to an ivy league law school, and was editor of the law review there, but is now clerking for the Supreme Court. While it is one of the most competitive law jobs in the country to get, I suppose if someone judges success by how much you make, he made the wrong decision since he could be making much more at many law firms in the country. My ivy grad friends all work hard, but their degrees were not necessary to get them where they are. I have friends who are teachers, teaching next to graduates from Stony Brook who paid a lot less and did much less work to get their degree, but I know none of them would say their degrees were wasted.

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by ChristineAE

...that still say and write 'I'm doing good.' UGH - I HATE THAT SO MUCH!

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This is one of my biggest pet peeves

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by corinne7477

my boss has a masters and cant write or type so you cant judge a book by its cover.

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My boss also has her masters, and from a well-respected University. During meetings she will say 'mines' when referring to one of her projects

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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I see your point, but these posts about ivy league confuse me. I went to an ivy league school, my brother went to an ivy league school, my cousins all went to ivy league schools. We didn't go because it is a guarantee of future financial success, or a guarantee of future success in general, but because those schools pushed us harder than many others, and because were surrounded by some of the best and brightest minds in the country. Not everyone who goes to an ivy league school does it to become a CEO or work on Wall Street (though many do), and obviously graduates from other schools, or who haven't attended college can achieve the same success. My brother then went on to an ivy league law school, and was editor of the law review there, but is now clerking for the Supreme Court. While it is one of the most competitive law jobs in the country to get, I suppose if someone judges success by how much you make, he made the wrong decision since he could be making much more at many law firms in the country. My ivy grad friends all work hard, but their degrees were not necessary to get them where they are. I have friends who are teachers, teaching next to graduates from Stony Brook who paid a lot less and did much less work to get their degree, but I know none of them would say their degrees were wasted.

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Well said. Your point about your school pushing you and inspiring you to work hard is an important one. That's part of the reason why I get irritated by the 'school smarts' versus 'street smarts' debate. Lots of people seem to assume that people who went to college (especially the top colleges) are somehow living off of a brand name and basking in privilege, when in reality 'school smarts' can be just as difficult and challenging to acquire as 'street smarts.' The point of going to college, in my opinion, is to immerse oneself in an intellectual and social atmosphere full of challenges and new experiences. Some folks are inspired by that atmosphere to grow up and to work hard. Neither of those tasks is easy, and neither of those tasks can be accomplished through a 'brand name' or privilege -- that's for sure.

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by nov04LIbride

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Posted by nylibride

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Posted by nov04LIbride

Further, I think any idiot can get a Master's, and any motivated idiot can get a doctorate!

---

I was about to get my knickers in a twist for a second, and then I thought...hmmm...this is totally TRUE!!! When I think of some of the wack jobs and freakshows that they let into our doctoral program....wow! I really think if you can get yourself in AND are willing to put up with a lot of shyte, you're golden....

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Are you in my program?

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I think I see a pattern here in PhD programs....

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

I always felt like I made the wrong decision when I turned down the Ivy education (for fear of financial ruin because of the high tuition/loans). Instead, I went to a well-respected state school.

I have to admit, my friends who went to the Ivy's had a MUCH BETTER college experience than I.

However, they owe approx $100,000 in student loans, live back at home, and are earning $35,000 per year, and can't afford to go to grad school. (I plugged through my BA and Master's at the state school)

Sometimes I REALLY feel like I would have gone further in life if I went the Ivy route. But, then I look at them and I'm not so sure.

But, in all honesty, if I could do it again, I'd go Ivy all the way!

Re: Spinoff: Do you think you can tell what level of education a person has from reading their posts?

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Posted by suven

I always felt like I made the wrong decision when I turned down the Ivy education (for fear of financial ruin because of the high tuition/loans). Instead, I went to a well-respected state school.

I have to admit, my friends who went to the Ivy's had a MUCH BETTER college experience than I.

However, they owe approx $100,000 in student loans, live back at home, and are earning $35,000 per year, and can't afford to go to grad school. (I plugged through my BA and Master's at the state school)

Sometimes I REALLY feel like I would have gone further in life if I went the Ivy route. But, then I look at them and I'm not so sure.

But, in all honesty, if I could do it again, I'd go Ivy all the way!

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I also turned down Ivy to go to St. John's, who offered me a fantastic and generous scholarship. I told myself I will save Ivy league for my graduate studies, since there is not as much financial aid available for grad programs. I hated to see a good scholarship go to waste, and I loved St. John's. I found the program there to be very involved and current, and the professors were amazing.
I am, however, bracing myself for the ehap of debt I might have going to an Ivy league grad school.