Harvard Dropping Out: Does Anyone Know Any Stats or Stories?

I've heard about some people dropping out of prestigious schools like Harvard, but I'm curious to know how common this really is. Are there any statistics or significant dropout stories? I'm just curious to understand why someone would choose to leave such a school.

Dropout rates at prestigious schools like Harvard are generally low, and students typically leave due to personal circumstances or unique opportunities. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the 6-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time undergraduate students at Harvard was 98% for students entering in Fall 2014, meaning that only a small percentage of students didn't complete their degrees. Another example is Stanford University, which reported a 6-year graduation rate of 95% in the same timeframe.

Despite these low dropout rates, there are a few well-known stories of students who left Harvard and other elite institutions. One famous example is Bill Gates, a co-founder of Microsoft. Gates dropped out of Harvard in 1975 to start the company, working on his groundbreaking software and technology endeavors. Other notable dropouts include Mark Zuckerberg, who left Harvard in 2006 to focus on his then-start-up, Facebook, and Matt Damon, a successful actor and screenwriter who left to pursue his passion in film.

It's essential to understand that these cases are outliers and not indicative of a general trend. The percentage of students who don't complete their degrees at schools like Harvard is relatively low, and these individuals often have compelling reasons for doing so (e.g., becoming successful entrepreneurs or pursuing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities). The vast majority of students at these schools end up finishing their degrees and moving on to successful careers, and dropping out is certainly not a common outcome.

While the reasons for leaving a highly respected institution like Harvard can vary significantly, it's important to note that schools devote considerable resources to student support, ensuring the academic success and well-being of those who attend.