Harvard: How Long Will It Hold Up as a Metaphor for "Gold Standard?"

 The headline today on Bloomberg reads:

"What I Learned About Five-Star Service at the Harvard of Hospitality"

Despite all its troubles, ranging from its president stepping down to the association with Epstein to alleged grade inflation, it remains the pop culture way of indicating a kind of gold standard.

But, for how long? 

The whole mystique of an institution which dates back to 1636 could collapse. That's because what it represents is currently being questioned and challenged. 

For example, Arizona State has gained brand equity becoming known as the "Anti Harvard." Instead of priding itself on how few applicants it accepts it's thriving through not being exclusive. 

In addition, how well is Harvard preparing its students - undergraduate, graduate, professional - for today's economy? Well-known is that some recent graduates of its iconic MBA program are unemployed. 

Not unthinkable: Harvard on a resume could become a liability. Do employers want to put up with Ivy alumni who might assume they are "special?"

Also not unthinkable: Harvard could mutate into a metaphor for what's gone wrong in America.

Thrown off your game, maybe the first time since you started working? You made all the right moves and then the world moved in another direction.

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