Gladwell Advises Against Ivy League for STEM Students

Author argues students should choose schools where they can thrive, not just survive

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Renowned author Malcolm Gladwell is making a provocative argument that for many aspiring STEM professionals, bypassing elite Ivy League institutions like Harvard may be the smarter move. Gladwell's core idea, rooted in the 'relative deprivation theory' and his 'big fish, little pond' concept, suggests that success in challenging STEM fields isn't solely determined by intelligence, but by how a student measures up against their peers. He advocates for prospective students to realistically assess their academic standing and choose a university where they can confidently be among the top performers.

Why it matters

Gladwell's argument challenges the longstanding perception that an Ivy League education is a golden ticket to success, especially for STEM students. He suggests that the highly competitive environment at elite institutions can actually be detrimental to those who aren't already at the very top of their class, eroding their confidence and motivation. This has implications for both students choosing colleges and employers evaluating candidates.

The details

Data cited by Gladwell shows that students with lower SAT scores are significantly more likely to drop out of STEM programs at Harvard than at less selective schools like Hartwick College, despite similar distributions of STEM degree attainment. Gladwell argues that 'persistence in science and math is not simply a function of your cognitive ability, it's a function of your relative standing in your class.' He advocates for prospective students to prioritize finding a university where they can be among the top performers, rather than focusing solely on prestige.

  • In a 2019 talk, Gladwell discussed his 'big fish, little pond' concept.
  • A July 2025 analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York highlighted employment trends in various STEM fields.

The players

Malcolm Gladwell

An acclaimed author known for his books exploring social science concepts, including the 'relative deprivation theory' and 'big fish, little pond' effect.

Harvard University

A highly prestigious Ivy League institution that Gladwell argues may not be the best fit for all STEM students, particularly those who are not among the top performers in their class.

Hartwick College

A smaller liberal arts college that, according to data cited by Gladwell, has a similar distribution of STEM degree attainment as Harvard, but lower dropout rates for students with lower SAT scores.

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What they’re saying

“Persistence in science and math is not simply a function of your cognitive ability, it's a function of your relative standing in your class. It's a function of your class rank.”

— Malcolm Gladwell, Author (newsy-today.com)

“When you hear some institution...say, 'we only hire from the top schools,' you should say: 'You moron, hire from the top students from any school under the sun.'”

— Malcolm Gladwell, Author (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Gladwell's argument suggests that employers should re-evaluate their hiring practices to focus more on a candidate's class rank rather than the prestige of the university they attended.

The takeaway

Gladwell's advice challenges the longstanding perception that an Ivy League education is necessary for success, particularly in STEM fields. His 'big fish, little pond' concept highlights the importance of finding an academic environment where students can thrive, rather than just survive.