Good Universities vs. Great Universities
Studying at different universities over the past few years made me realize the difference between good and great institutions.
Good universities help you gain knowledge in your field. You attend classes, study, take exams, graduate and find a job. Their professors conduct good research, though they may not be leading experts in their disciplines.
At a great university, on the other hand, some of your professors will be luminaries in their field. They will teach you their cutting-edge, state-of-the-art research firsthand.
Besides training you academically, great universities help you realize your full potential and provide you with the opportunities to truly harness it.
For example, they offer access to a powerful network of people who will go on to do the most different things, from founding companies to doing research or going into established organizations. Renowned people from academia and the industry, like venture capitalists, CEOs, and founders, will come to your campus to give talks.
Great universities foster innovation, spin out companies, register patents and support students who want to build stuff. They provide facilities, from gyms to co-working spaces, equipped with the newest technology for you to use and try out your ideas.
At a good university, you may be top of the class. Having a publication early on in your career distinguishes you from the others. At a great university, almost everybody has incredible achievements.
The variety of possibilities at a great university can be intimidating, but also serve as a motivation to do better and more. It shows you what is possible, widening your horizon and awakening your ambition.
Personally, attending a great university for my master’s broadened my horizon immensely. Even though I am starting a PhD, hearing from, and talking to, people who have built impactful companies has definitely got me thinking.
Getting into such a university is hard. But I can assure you, it definitely is worth the effort! So go and try! Even if you don't get accepted, you will learn a lot along the way.