From my perspective you are wrong. For you to say your understanding that it is all about status symbolism is a broad emotive statement considerably weighted with envy/ classism. I have no idea if you attended a private school at some stage( Which I have) and yes there were people there that were well aware of status but to imply that is what its all about is totally wrong. Some of those I met at the school were prats some were the nicest people some contributed to society in a plethora of ways so far removed from the other end of the societal educational spectrum there is no relationship between education inputs and outputs or cost/ benefit. Your post snacks of reverse snobbery I am sorry to say Scott.