Greatness by Association
Attending MIT is an immense privilege. I walk along the Charles River nearly every day and I make an effort to stop and admire the dome. I think of the many great scholars who have been here before me, are here with me, and will be here long after I am gone. At times, I try to reflect on the small minority of humans in the history of our species who have been given four years to study and learn; let alone attend one of the premier institutions of human history.
I feel extremely privileged to be here. I hope that comes across clearly and I say this as a precursor to the following discussion.
Attending a university of this stature brings many choices. There are opportunities for great financial success that will be offered to you but may not coincide with your interests. Within MIT, this is a common talking point. So much so that the term “selling out”’ is often heard when discussing a particularly gifted student who chose to pursue a lucrative industry position rather than research or academia. Personally, I do not believe that attending MIT comes with any obligations for your future life, so I don’t judge other students for their career choices.
For all the dialogue and criticism focused primarily on this choice within MIT, in my eyes, there is a subtler choice that is rarely discussed.
As a student at an elite institution or an alumnus of one, you will receive respect and admiration simply through your association with the institution. This is not to imply that it is not deserved; the students at these universities in all my experience are exceptional. My comment is this, the root of this praise is the greatness of the institution, not that of the individual.
I believe the allure of this admiration can present a rather important choice:
Accept the assured accolades from being associated with an elite institution or strive to achieve your own greatness.
This dilemma is seldom addressed as there is no physical manifestation. Career choices are easy to see, so we hyperfocus on these. To the best I can understand, the choice of seeking out your own greatness seems to be at most a mindset.
Once first accepted to MIT, I felt overpowered by this newfound association. Forever onward, I will be an MIT alumnus. As time has passed and I’ve found my place within the small campus, I’ve realized that a life where my respect simply comes from my association with this place seems shallow.
Attending an elite university is certainly a great accomplishment and only gets more difficult as time passes. The choice to live in complacency or see out your own success in my view may very well decide whether your university studies are your greatest accomplishment or simply the start of many.
