<p>The</a> Billionaire Universities - Forbes.com</p>
<p>Sorry, had to correct the link.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Harvard students are more likely to become billionaires than graduates of any other college.
[/quote]
That's an interesting statement. It was probably made in jest, but it still suggests that attending Harvard is the major reason they're billionaires, which I doubt; rather, the inherent qualities said billionaires have just served them equally well in making them money and getting them into Harvard. From there, just knowing that Harvard has a higher percentage of acceptees matriculating is enough to connect the rest of the dots.</p>
<p>i think its because the people admitted into harvard are highly ambitious and motivated. it might actually be less about the school itself and be more about the type of people who attend it.</p>
<p>Harvard is HUGE, too. They have about 20,000 students (undergrads and grads combined) and a strong business school. This big student body probably helps verses smaller universities like Princeton that have fewer students and grad programs.</p>
<p>Just remember to give half of it to H when you become a billionaire.</p>
<p>Interesting stat although I think the analysis of adjusted averages (e.g. throw out the top and bottom 5% and then average what's left) would be far more informative than an analysis of pure outliers in the dataset. Ultimately their 'ranking' is based on the analysis of a fraction of 1% of those with degrees... so what about the other 99.998% of graduates? ;-). </p>
<p>Also, as mentioned it's incorrect to say that Harvard 'created' these billionaires... rather the only thing that can really be derived from the data is to say that those with the skills and qualities necessary to become billionaires have a slight tenancy to choose Harvard over other schools.</p>
<p>As usual with statistics... it makes a nice headline but really doesn't say much.</p>
<p>the article doesn't actually make any sense because at one point, they say "Despite the daunting odds, there's good reason to try to win one of those coveted acceptance letters [to the undergraduate school]." Yet, the number of billionaires reflects the total number of people who have received a degree of some form from harvard, including graduate....</p>
<p>One thing to remember is this: Most of Harvards' successful alumni, who were adimitted into the unversity all those years ago, would not get in today. I agree that the school doesn't create wealthy people. But being at such a school will motivate you into maximizing everything that Harvard has to offer. The freedom to choose your own path without restriction is the hallmark that is Harvard University.</p>
<p>These articles are fun to read, but that's it. You have to take it all with a grain of salt. Don't take this or yourself too seriously.</p>