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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don’t see it happening in 10 years. Stanford may have more tech bros but it doesn’t produce influential people in government, law, finance, or medicine as Harvard does. If you want to be the president of the United States or a Supreme Court justice, Harvard is a better bet. It attracts much broader and diverse walks of life.

[Anonymous]

For its first 200 years, Harvard was the place where East Coast wealth sent its young men. They weren't there to learn anything practical. That would be for people in the trades. The US was a much more stratified society back then. And Harvard functioned as a kind of finishing school for the male offspring of the elite. And over time, its impact on society compounded with more and more generations of Harvard men becoming presidents, senators, heirs to fortunes, etc. And that has a momentum all on its own. A Harvard degree for a man was essentially their calling card for entry into the elite.

Obviously times are different. But the fascination with Harvard is an echo of that time. It's antiquated, but it persists.

[Anonymous]

Harvard is falling and is no longer and if they don't change course I think people will be impressed at all with the name in 10 years. They used to have truly exceptional and unique students and a nice handful of super wealthy alum to be the happy bottom of the class (not always the case, but sometimes). When I think of the grads I have known over the years they have been truly impressive people who contribute to the world in a positive way.

Not impressed at all with Harvard anymore. Part of the downfall has been the encampments and budding domestic terrorists on campus, but I am also just not impressed with who I see getting in. It makes no sense and I have no dog in this fight because we are not aiming for Harvard for our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don’t see it happening in 10 years. Stanford may have more tech bros but it doesn’t produce influential people in government, law, finance, or medicine as Harvard does. If you want to be the president of the United States or a Supreme Court justice, Harvard is a better bet. It attracts much broader and diverse walks of life.

You don’t even seem to acknowledge they are now equal, let alone that Stanford will surpass Harvard in 10 years. You can make your argument, but it sounds like you are comparing Harvard to Stanford, rather than Stanford to Harvard. Stanford does not need to compare itself to anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don’t see it happening in 10 years. Stanford may have more tech bros but it doesn’t produce influential people in government, law, finance, or medicine as Harvard does. If you want to be the president of the United States or a Supreme Court justice, Harvard is a better bet. It attracts much broader and diverse walks of life.

You don’t even seem to acknowledge they are now equal, let alone that Stanford will surpass Harvard in 10 years. You can make your argument, but it sounds like you are comparing Harvard to Stanford, rather than Stanford to Harvard. Stanford does not need to compare itself to anyone.

Stanford has never been viewed as Harvard's equal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don’t see it happening in 10 years. Stanford may have more tech bros but it doesn’t produce influential people in government, law, finance, or medicine as Harvard does. If you want to be the president of the United States or a Supreme Court justice, Harvard is a better bet. It attracts much broader and diverse walks of life.

You don’t even seem to acknowledge they are now equal, let alone that Stanford will surpass Harvard in 10 years. You can make your argument, but it sounds like you are comparing Harvard to Stanford, rather than Stanford to Harvard. Stanford does not need to compare itself to anyone.

Stanford has never been viewed as Harvard's equal.

Those that know, know. Those that think they know? At least a generation behind…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

??? - I believe William and Mary is the second oldest college here - founded in 1635.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

??? - I believe William and Mary is the second oldest college here - founded in 1635.

Correction - 1693!

[Anonymous]

They had a 65-year head start on Yale, and over 100 years on all the rest of the Ivies. Think McDonald's vs. Five Guys.

[Anonymous]

Creating a cartel catering to rich white.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Is Harvard not the most powerful US university brand in the US?

[Anonymous]

MIT and Wharton are both above Harvard. Stanford is second tier.

[Anonymous]

It’s the first or best-first US college, so it’s got historical roots and a long time to collect archives and wealth. Second, it’s near a big city that became a center for commerce and industrialization. Industrialization required science/education. Third, Harvard quickly pivoted from a religious focus to a secular institution and expanded its areas of study to support business, science, and industry. Fourth, in turn wealthy industrialists supported Harvard.

Some have mentioned the rise of Stanford. See any similarities between its location to Silicon Valley, its educational programs, and the source of its wealth.

A good contrast to Harvard is William and Mary. WM is also old and educated many historical figures. But, it was repeatedly decimated by war, both the AR and the Civil War. It was significantly supported by the crown and the Anglican Church, which made it difficult to pivot to a secular university. Finally, Williamsburg was once the capital of Virginia, but it was eventually moved to Richmond. So, WM was not at the center of commerce and new thought. Ironically, Jefferson created UVA as a pivot from WM to emulate the secular universities of the NE. The Rotunda, the focal point of the campus was a library, not a church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don’t see it happening in 10 years. Stanford may have more tech bros but it doesn’t produce influential people in government, law, finance, or medicine as Harvard does. If you want to be the president of the United States or a Supreme Court justice, Harvard is a better bet. It attracts much broader and diverse walks of life.

Stanford has put a lot of work into this. Stanford law has risen substantially as the second best law school, it has some of the best humanities programs in the country, its gotten its name all around the Olympics right now and is insane at athletic pipelines, graduates the second highest number of members of Congress, and pretty much every month gets a tech/finance alum in the news for some startup/VC/etc.