<p>I read the Jobs speech a few months back. As you know, retrospective comments and studies mean little. For every Jobs who got fired and "found" greatness and fulfilment, for every Bill Gates, more drop outs have never amounted to much. Also, it is difficult to know if the calligraphy class had the most impact. Difficult to judge impact especially when related to interior life, the ghost in the machine. Why is it I don't hear of anyone claiming that a class in fluid dynamics or labor unrest in 19th cent America changed them? It is usually a trip to India, Zen, playing go, flying an F22, etc etc. Actually, Linus Pauling did say an organic chemistry class turned him on. I found Jobs' comments very commonplace and have been wondering why so much has been made of it. America loves its billionaires, take away the money and perhaps the achievements may not be that stupendous, great as they are. Forgive this comment.
I am not sure I understand how going to Columbia would foretell talent. Please clarify. On another note, is it unpredictable, getting into all the Ivies? I was under the impression that HYP is truly difficult, rest easier, no? How often does it happen someone got rejected at Dartmouth or UPenn or Columbia and got into HYP? And how often does the reverse happen? Thanks.</p>