> I appreciate your optimism about the value of your average CS degree, It's not perfect, but when you're hiring you're taking a chance and have to hedge your

> I appreciate your optimism about the value of your average CS degree, It's not perfect, but when you're hiring you're taking a chance and have to hedge your odd for success. > The chances of all of those students being exposed to "individuals who are at the top of the industry" is pretty much nil It's higher than someone who is plowing through online courses and YouTube videos. > Those close connections with their peer groups is going to provide, IMO, pretty much zero value in the short term. I would have to disagree with your opinion. Being exposed to other individuals who share the same value and aspiration has plenty of short term and long term values for the student and the individual that hires her. In short term, when you hire a new grad who is a great fit, odds are his friends from college would also be a great fit. In long term these individuals and their network "gain experience and learn about the real world" concurrently. So their network expands much faster than someone who is picking up the trade on their own.