About this Author
William Deresiewicz left his position at Yale as a professor to focus on writing, where he covers diverse topics including education.
2014
Self-Help
Schools & Teaching
13:20 Min
Conclusion
7 Key Points
Conclusion
Elite colleges often produce graduates primed for prestigious but conventional career paths, lacking diversity in thought and risk-taking. To truly benefit society, educational institutions must encourage independent thinking, and critical skills, and adopt teaching over research, promoting genuine intellectual growth and diverse leadership.
Abstract
William Deresiewicz grew up in a family that highly valued prestigious education and careers, leading him to become a Yale professor in his 30s before he switched to writing. He criticizes the elite educational system for focusing too much on financial gain and prestige, pushing students to pursue high-paying jobs at the expense of intellectual diversity and critical thinking. He calls these students "Excellent Sheep" smart but lacking varied perspectives and creativity due to a risk-averse education. Deresiewicz argues that parents and universities encourage this by prioritizing status and vocational training over true learning and independent thought. His insights urge a change toward nurturing diverse experiences and values that extend beyond mere career achievements to promote genuine innovation and leadership.
Key Points
- Elite colleges often lack diversity and critical thinking, focusing more on prestige and financial gain than true intellectual growth.
- High admission standards and intense competition in elite schools may discourage independent thought and genuine intellectual curiosity.
- Despite potential early earnings, liberal arts graduates develop critical thinking skills that are highly valued and lasting in the workplace.
- The educational system pressures students to conform to specific career paths, limiting personal growth and diverse interests.
- True leadership involves challenging norms and asking critical questions, qualities often suppressed in current educational models.
- A fulfilling college experience should encourage students to think independently and develop a sense of self beyond career prospects.
- Society needs to transform education to value teaching and intellectual diversity, ensuring healthier democratic participation.
Summary
The “Excellent Sheep”
The best and brightest young Americans often aim for Ivy League or other elite colleges. After graduation, they typically enter prestigious sectors like law, consulting, finance, and banking, shaping the country's leadership. However, despite their achievements, these individuals are criticized for the country's current state.
Today's college students often struggle with fear, stress, loneliness, and depression. Coming from privileged backgrounds, they have experienced continuous success. Excelling in high school, they focus on getting into Ivy League or elite colleges, viewing these institutions as their only viable path.
Elite colleges lack true diversity. While students come from various racial and religious backgrounds worldwide, they tend to share similar views. Although some students from lower-income backgrounds are admitted, their numbers are insufficient to drive significant change. Elite college students often think and act alike, attending the same schools, taking similar courses, and pursuing the same professions. This lack of diversity leads to risk aversion, limited critical thinking, and a failure to env
Share:
Latest Books
No Record Found
Related Books
No Record Found
No Record Found
