Most prestigious universities have the appearance of ancient buildings. The Gothic architectural style of these institutions gives the impression that they have stood the test of time, and indeed they have. Harvard, Yale, and Columbia existed even before the discovery of dinosaur fossils, surviving the colonial period, the Franco-Native War, the American Revolution, and the Civil War.
It is this almost unwavering resilience that leads admissions experts to believe that the value of an elite education will not diminish in the near future, despite concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) is eroding the "security advantage" of a college degree, as warned by Goldman Sachs, a leading US investment bank.
Preparing for Ivy League school from… 5th grade
Adam Nguyen, CEO and founder of Ivy Link, supports students in preparing for prestigious universities from a very young age, even as early as fifth grade. His company charges between $100,000 and $750,000 per client (approximately 2.5 to 19 billion VND) – a figure Nguyen describes as “insignificant” for many ultra-wealthy families.
Having worked in the admissions departments of Harvard and Columbia, and being an alumnus of Harvard Law School, Nguyen helps families build academic profiles for their children years before they apply to college. He advises on everything from extracurricular activities to choosing which top high schools to attend.
Nguyen also rejected the notion that college degrees are losing value in the age of AI.
“These families aren’t interested in fads, breaking news, or even campus protests. They look far ahead, decades, even centuries,” Nguyen told Fortune .
Who do the global elite turn to in order to get into the Ivy League?
According to Nguyen, his clients are "global elites," including big names in venture capital, asset management, hit Hollywood screenwriters, and even a " world- famous EDM DJ." For them, college is not a short-term expense, but a long-term investment in the prosperity of the entire family.
Amid the rise of AI and a flurry of controversies erupting at American universities—from heated protests to political attacks—American perceptions of elite educational institutions are increasingly negative. Nevertheless, this perception has edged up from its 2024 lows. Many are questioning whether a four-year bachelor's degree is still worthwhile.
However, as employers gradually return to hiring criteria based on academic qualifications and GPA, rather than the "where you studied doesn't matter" philosophy, Nguyen argues that wealthy families were probably right from the start.
Many families view college as a "golden star" that can be attached to for life to maintain social status. "They approach Ivy Link not necessarily to buy prestige, but to minimize risk, ensure their children receive attention, and possess a valuable 'brand' that will last a lifetime," Nguyen said.
According to him, over the years, these families have consistently chosen the most elite universities in the United States. “These schools have weathered many cycles and trends, yet they still serve as a talent filter. Ultimately, the majority of our clients still automatically aim for top universities,” Nguyen observed.
The rise of AI has made degrees from elite schools even more important.
Nguyen said his clients don't believe that automation will render college degrees meaningless. On the contrary, as recruitment processes become increasingly flooded with AI-generated resumes, recruiters are relying more and more on "school branding" to differentiate candidates.
"The employers I've interviewed have indicated they're reverting to using university degrees as their first screening round," Nguyen said.
Recent hiring trends also reinforce this view. A 2025 survey of more than 150 businesses found that over 25% of them were hiring only from a shortlist of universities, up from 17% in 2022, according to hiring analytics firm Veris Insights (results previously cited by the Wall Street Journal).
Currently, many companies only recruit from about 30 universities out of nearly 4,000 nationwide in the United States, prioritizing elite schools and those located near the company's headquarters.
Ivy Link's clients often pursue careers in law, tech startups, and finance—from investment banking to venture capital. While AI has been threatening many of the professions these students aspire to, Nguyen argues that the rise of AI actually makes degrees from elite schools even more important.
"To graduate and secure mid-level positions requiring experience, you must master the fundamentals that AI is gradually replacing. Traditional education still plays a very important role," he said.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/gia-dinh-sieu-giau-chi-19-ty-dong-chuan-bi-cho-con-vao-dai-hoc-tinh-hoa-tu-lop-5-2483590.html
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