How did Harvard become the most powerful US university brand in the world?

[Anonymous]

This is a question particularly for those knowledgeable about university history. Of the T10 US universities, which are all exceptional, Harvard particularly stands out as a brand--one that surprisingly blows away every other university. This is true even compared to other old universities (like Yale) and especially true from the the vantage point of those outside the US. But in a way, this is surprising because it was not historically inevitable; other universities could have overtaken Harvard, but never did and the brand just seems to be getting stronger. Wealth is not a complete explanation, since there are other wealthy universities (perhaps even wealthier on a per capita basis). It can't be because of extraordinary management, as Harvard is often regarded as somewhat poorly managed and steeped in inertia. So I'm curious what particular historical events transpired to bring Harvard forth as the brand synonymous with university excellence.

[Anonymous]

It was the first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was the first.

Yale, like Harvard, is also hundreds of years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was the first.

Yale, like Harvard, is also hundreds of years old.

And is possibly being overtaken by Stanford, which is much younger.

[Anonymous]

My guess is the early lead was due to both political, economic, and religious. Geographies with positive momentum have a compounding effect. Like Silicon Valley. I think Harvard today also benefits from MIT, and the whole area has economic strength due to its educated affluent technical population.

Some of the other Ivies are in small places or cities that have lost political and economic vitality. Philadelphia vs. Boston and NYC for example. Dartmouth never had a chance, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a question particularly for those knowledgeable about university history. Of the T10 US universities, which are all exceptional, Harvard particularly stands out as a brand--one that surprisingly blows away every other university. This is true even compared to other old universities (like Yale) and especially true from the the vantage point of those outside the US. But in a way, this is surprising because it was not historically inevitable; other universities could have overtaken Harvard, but never did and the brand just seems to be getting stronger. Wealth is not a complete explanation, since there are other wealthy universities (perhaps even wealthier on a per capita basis). It can't be because of extraordinary management, as Harvard is often regarded as somewhat poorly managed and steeped in inertia. So I'm curious what particular historical events transpired to bring Harvard forth as the brand synonymous with university excellence.

Harvard is at best equal to Stanford as I write. Given Stanford’s trajectory, in another 10 years comparing Stanford to Harvard will be much like current comparisons between Harvard and Yale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was the first.

Yale, like Harvard, is also hundreds of years old.

And it was not the first. It was founded like two generations later.

[Anonymous]

It's not.
Your imagination.

Think Claudine Gay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a question particularly for those knowledgeable about university history. Of the T10 US universities, which are all exceptional, Harvard particularly stands out as a brand--one that surprisingly blows away every other university. This is true even compared to other old universities (like Yale) and especially true from the the vantage point of those outside the US. But in a way, this is surprising because it was not historically inevitable; other universities could have overtaken Harvard, but never did and the brand just seems to be getting stronger. Wealth is not a complete explanation, since there are other wealthy universities (perhaps even wealthier on a per capita basis). It can't be because of extraordinary management, as Harvard is often regarded as somewhat poorly managed and steeped in inertia. So I'm curious what particular historical events transpired to bring Harvard forth as the brand synonymous with university excellence.

You are not from the U.S.

[Anonymous]

It’s got a name that is easy to say, is nice & balanced, & sounds classy. If it had been named after Harry Weinblatt, Dick Weenie, or Rolpf Zerczievovicz it would be just another old school.

[Anonymous]

I just had a flashback from an Ivy Tour but can’t think of where, guide was talking about a major donor in early days I think it was and it was an unfortunate name. Anyone know what I’m remembering? Sort of equivalent to a dentist being Dr. Pain idea?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s got a name that is easy to say, is nice & balanced, & sounds classy. If it had been named after Harry Weinblatt, Dick Weenie, or Rolpf Zerczievovicz it would be just another old school.

Or Brown

[Anonymous]

Stanford's more recent rise, especially in terms of international prestige, is notable. Harvard has been somewhat hurt, more outside the US than here, by being viewed as below MIT and Stanford in the hottest STEM fields.

[Anonymous]

The oldest by far, with a solid 350 years of history before all the later-20th c. changes in higher education that diversified the landscape of prestige. In a colony-then-state with a commitment from the beginning to education and the urban/professional culture to support and value university education (vs. Virginia, for example). All that time to be the best-known producer of national leaders in the economy of prestige up through the 20th century.

[Anonymous]

By dominating anonymous college message boards.