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I Hate the Ivy League: Riffs and Rants on Elite Education
Malcolm Gladwell has long relished the opportunity to skewer the upper echelons of higher education, from the institution of U.S. News & World Report’s Best College rankings to the LSATs to the luxe Bowdoin College cafeteria. I Hate the Ivy League: Riffs and Rants on Elite Education, upends the traditional thinking around how education should work and tries to get to the bottom of why we often reward the wrong people. The higher education system follows a hierarchy that was created to primarily benefit top-tier, elite, well-off students, but Gladwell wants to find out how we can do a better job at educating the middle and make education more affordable, fair, and open to all.
Why is Gladwell so obsessed with American education? The foreword and afterword of I Hate the Ivy League explains, framing this carefully curated selection of Revisionist History episodes. If you’ve never listened to Revisionist History, this collection is a thoughtful introduction to the long-running podcast, and if you’re already a fan, it allows for careful re-examination of the important issues at hand: how do we really determine what matters most when it comes to educating our children?
Why is Gladwell so obsessed with American education? The foreword and afterword of I Hate the Ivy League explains, framing this carefully curated selection of Revisionist History episodes. If you’ve never listened to Revisionist History, this collection is a thoughtful introduction to the long-running podcast, and if you’re already a fan, it allows for careful re-examination of the important issues at hand: how do we really determine what matters most when it comes to educating our children?
6 pages, Audible Audio
Published July 12, 2022
About the author
Malcolm Gladwell
108 books35.8k followersMalcolm Gladwell is the author of five New York Times bestsellers—The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, What the Dog Saw, and David and Goliath. He is also the co-founder of Pushkin Industries, an audio content company that produces the podcasts Revisionist History, which reconsiders things both overlooked and misunderstood, and Broken Record, where he, Rick Rubin, and Bruce Headlam interview musicians across a wide range of genres. Gladwell has been included in the TIME 100 Most Influential People list and touted as one of Foreign Policy's Top Global Thinkers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
November 16, 2022
Malcolm Gladwell is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I enjoy reading him and enjoy his podcast, Revisionist History. I appreciate the ways that he finds patterns and new ways of seeing things.
The “chapters” in this audiobook, I Hate the Ivy Leagues, include episodes drawn from Revisionist History and, like his previous work, happily turns things on its head. His basic thesis is that the US educational system, as opposed to the Canadian system where he was educated, is one that overinvests in wealthy, privileged students, so that privilege is maintained and expanded. As a result:
– Poor students have significant barriers making it difficult for them to enter the Ivys, that have little to do with intelligence, determination, or grit, and more to do with social barriers.
– It makes more sense to invest in average students than the top ones (think soccer rather than basketball.
– Philanthropists are more likely to give to extremely wealthy schools where they are unlikely to make a significant difference rather than small, poor schools where contributions can make a huge difference (see the last bullet).
– The college rankings of the US World and News Report reward reputation and large endowments. Reputation appears to be a function of endowment size rather than variables with more apparent relationships to the task of educating students. (And US World and News Report should find someone else to serve as their spokesperson.)
– Schools that want to increase their rankings could best do so by refusing admission to poor, Black, and nontraditional students – and by building posh dorms.
– Voting lotteries for high school Student Senates can open leadership opportunities for a broader of students (and perspectives) than more traditional elections.
These and other ideas are central to Gladwell’s book. If you enjoy having your world shaken up, even somewhat, you will enjoy this “book.”
The “chapters” in this audiobook, I Hate the Ivy Leagues, include episodes drawn from Revisionist History and, like his previous work, happily turns things on its head. His basic thesis is that the US educational system, as opposed to the Canadian system where he was educated, is one that overinvests in wealthy, privileged students, so that privilege is maintained and expanded. As a result:
– Poor students have significant barriers making it difficult for them to enter the Ivys, that have little to do with intelligence, determination, or grit, and more to do with social barriers.
– It makes more sense to invest in average students than the top ones (think soccer rather than basketball.
– Philanthropists are more likely to give to extremely wealthy schools where they are unlikely to make a significant difference rather than small, poor schools where contributions can make a huge difference (see the last bullet).
– The college rankings of the US World and News Report reward reputation and large endowments. Reputation appears to be a function of endowment size rather than variables with more apparent relationships to the task of educating students. (And US World and News Report should find someone else to serve as their spokesperson.)
– Schools that want to increase their rankings could best do so by refusing admission to poor, Black, and nontraditional students – and by building posh dorms.
– Voting lotteries for high school Student Senates can open leadership opportunities for a broader of students (and perspectives) than more traditional elections.
These and other ideas are central to Gladwell’s book. If you enjoy having your world shaken up, even somewhat, you will enjoy this “book.”
July 20, 2023
The title says this is a rant, and boy oh boy, it is. But I LOVE Gladwell's rants because they are emotional (clearly he cares about generating change in America's higher education system) and very logical. He had me laughing and shaking my head in frustration. Great combo.
It's incredibly disheartening that the US News and World Reports ranking of colleges/universities is based strictly on the college's endowment, the wealth of their students, the race of their students, the test scores of their students, and the graduation rates. Money and whiteness trumps equity, diversity, and greater access. Very sad.
However, through the different interviews, I got a sense that maybe change will come. I hope so.
It's incredibly disheartening that the US News and World Reports ranking of colleges/universities is based strictly on the college's endowment, the wealth of their students, the race of their students, the test scores of their students, and the graduation rates. Money and whiteness trumps equity, diversity, and greater access. Very sad.
However, through the different interviews, I got a sense that maybe change will come. I hope so.
July 30, 2022
4.5 stars. As always, I enjoyed Malcolm Gladwell’s musings about our crazy American education system. His discussions and ideas get me thinking.
March 2, 2024
Listened on audiobook. Really great critique of higher ed and its elitism ranging from endowment, standardized tests, exam styles, rankings, pure brand value. All of it.
April 16, 2023
This is thought provoking and a very good way to view problem sets in higher education. I did deduct 1 star because there is clearly a liberal bias in the approach and Gladwell takes full advantage of editing and ambush to pull the consumer to his side. Bowdoin chooses to spend its money on food; Vasser spends it on poorer students. Is Vasser correct? Is Bowdoin wrong? Gladwell shapes it so that you are on board with him but if you stop to think about it you are really looking at value judgments. Should the student body eat terrible food so 8 more students can attend for free? Should they eat dog food if it means 16 can go for free? The more I think about some of these arguments I can’t help but to think of how much the financial aid and tax systems promote ridiculous spending and fail to control costs—all making higher ED less accessible to those that need access.
July 19, 2023
Information: 5. How it infuriated me and made me want to rant to every human forced to listen to me: 1. Average: 3. The system is seriously messed up, and I’m not sure it can ever be fixed. My basic takeaway is to continue what I’m doing and remind kids to choose the school that is right for them and for their values.
April 13, 2023
disappointing,,, but not surprising
October 15, 2023
I usually hate Malcolm Gladwell, but I loved this book.
July 24, 2022
BAHHHH, I got snookered...or it was my fault for not reading.
This isn't new, it is a rehashing of a few episodes of the Revisionist History podcast.
BAHHHH. I'm a dummy! I have already heard everything in this book.
This isn't new, it is a rehashing of a few episodes of the Revisionist History podcast.
BAHHHH. I'm a dummy! I have already heard everything in this book.
May 24, 2023
Interesting stuff! But I will forever love the Ivy League (go big red)
September 19, 2023
I have specific socio-political beliefs, but I truly don't consider myself an active proponent of socio-political issues, especially those that veer toward the left. I tend to identify closer with conservatism than I do to liberal views. I believe those who have; should be allowed not penalized or told what they must do with their wealth. I believe institutions that are established to meet the needs of the upper echelon should be allowed to do so without interference. I believe that business owners who have specific socio-political views should reap the fruits of their views or perish by them. (Think the challenges presented by MyPillow owner on one end and Budweiser's marketing on the other end).
With that being said why would someone who considers himself a conservative be interested in hearing about the sociopolitical evils associated with prestigious schools and general school policy? He makes you think. Without knowing Malcolm Gladwell's political views directly, he provides compelling and empirical evidence to support arguments that are 180 degrees for my opinion. His arguments are well researched and well stated but more importantly, they are fascinating.
I never believed that I would about the various practices of schools such as Stanford, Harvard, Princeton and Yale, but Gladwell not only does an excellent job laying out his argument about why these policies and procedures are harmful to society as a whole, but he makes me care. Whether it is a fine dining campus, great attorneys coming from institutes other than the big 14, or historically black university competition, Gladwell's stories create interest and make me care! The book isn't making me change my views in one swoop, but it is giving me something to think about and it challenges my own beliefs. I truly think it's healthy to listen to counterpoints to your beliefs to help you grow.
Short I loved this book and would recommend it highly!
With that being said why would someone who considers himself a conservative be interested in hearing about the sociopolitical evils associated with prestigious schools and general school policy? He makes you think. Without knowing Malcolm Gladwell's political views directly, he provides compelling and empirical evidence to support arguments that are 180 degrees for my opinion. His arguments are well researched and well stated but more importantly, they are fascinating.
I never believed that I would about the various practices of schools such as Stanford, Harvard, Princeton and Yale, but Gladwell not only does an excellent job laying out his argument about why these policies and procedures are harmful to society as a whole, but he makes me care. Whether it is a fine dining campus, great attorneys coming from institutes other than the big 14, or historically black university competition, Gladwell's stories create interest and make me care! The book isn't making me change my views in one swoop, but it is giving me something to think about and it challenges my own beliefs. I truly think it's healthy to listen to counterpoints to your beliefs to help you grow.
Short I loved this book and would recommend it highly!
July 30, 2023
One thing about me is I cannot read in the car. It makes me car sick. Another thing about me is I love to read and it is what gives me the most entertainment out of everything else. ANOTHER thing about me is I do not let car sickness stop me, I have a friend for that. That friend is named Malcolm Gladwell. And that friend is one of my road trip secret weapons. My parents and I always (without fail) listen to an audiobook when we roadtrip. This past roadtrip was to Maine (it took 10 hours). Now, we are all pretty scattered with our friend Malcom. Some of us have read this but others haven't so we struggled this time around with finding which book to listen to. BUT then we saw this book... AND THANK GOD BECAUSE LOOK AT THE STARS AND SEE THAT IS 5 AND REALIZE HOW AWESOME AND WHIMSICAL THAT IS!!!! Malcom Gladwell is so smart and he loves to learn and discover and it is so clear through his writing and his voice (his audiobooks are always top tier). I just loved this book. I learned so much and I was so entertained. I mean who doesn't love hearing someone absolutely make a fool of the Stanford president by just asking him simple questions (if that offends you I am sorry, but also don't hate the player hate the game)???? I learned more about those who have to overcome extreme circumstances to go to elite schools, how dumb the college rankings are, discovered some colleges that should be more popular, gained more of an understanding on my own privilege, and my hatred of standardized tests was rectified! Who couldn't love that? Ahhhh the sweet sweet feeling of feeling like your brain grew 50x bigger... Maggie approved.
April 13, 2023
Note: I LOATHE podcasts but if there was ever a podcast I’d consider, it’s this guy’s. (He knows his sh-t.)
I didn’t know this book was basically a collection of some of the author’s podcast episodes in elite education. I guess that explains why it is only available as an audiobook. 😂
As someone who did not attend an “elite” university and was rejected by three (one undergraduate, two graduate), I have some “hate” for these schools as well. (I’m not bitter.) the perpetuation of wealth and admission is kind of sick, and he outlines this well.
I loved loved loved the chapters on the LSAT and law school. And I loved his solution to the elitist law school mentality! That can also be applied to undergrad and grad schools as well. (Please? 🙏🏼)
I didn’t know this book was basically a collection of some of the author’s podcast episodes in elite education. I guess that explains why it is only available as an audiobook. 😂
As someone who did not attend an “elite” university and was rejected by three (one undergraduate, two graduate), I have some “hate” for these schools as well. (I’m not bitter.) the perpetuation of wealth and admission is kind of sick, and he outlines this well.
I loved loved loved the chapters on the LSAT and law school. And I loved his solution to the elitist law school mentality! That can also be applied to undergrad and grad schools as well. (Please? 🙏🏼)
September 3, 2022
Such an enjoyable, informative read. If you’re a fan of Malcolm Gladwell, this book won’t disappoint. Fair warning to friends, I’ll be talking about this book for a while. Malcolm exposes some of the fundamental absurdities and inequities within the American educational system and most notably, within our standards of college ranking. Malcolm pokes holes in everything you think you know about the predictive value of standardized testing and its real-world relevance. He also exposes the insidious lingering effects of poorly orchestrated integration efforts following Brown v. Board of Education and argues that integration should’ve begun with teachers, not students. I especially appreciated the chapter where Malcolm delved into the arbitrary considerations driving US News & World Report’s college ranking system. This is one of those books that will stick with you and challenge you to reimagine education in America.
May 17, 2023
I Hate the Ivy League is a nonfiction book of essays of Malcolm Gladwell’s opinion on the higher education system in the US. He discusses how schools like Vasser have to pick and choose which aspects they’ll pursue and how this impacts them further. He also takes the LSAT, and discusses frustrations regarding tests being timed despite the end goal focused on accuracy not efficiency.
He’s a great author and I really love his books - they’re all fascinating and he has interesting takes. Highly recommend this for a light, funny read with substance.
He’s a great author and I really love his books - they’re all fascinating and he has interesting takes. Highly recommend this for a light, funny read with substance.
January 7, 2024
Dedicating this read to my Hillhouse family, I love you all. Now on to the audiobook: what I didn’t realize going into this was that it really just is a mashup of Gladwell’s podcast when we covered educational issues. I think it was well done as a podcast, but could have been fine tuned in book format to condense some of the repetition that occurred when breaking topics into multiple episodes or whatever unit podcasts come in lol - and that’s saying a lot that I want an already short book to be even shorter. I also think that in making this into a book, I would have loved to see a little more distillation and finality of what should be taken from each section and how to apply these learnings in practice. These two points are what keep this from being a five star book for me, but truly it is a remarkable work and worth a listen for those in, adjacent to, or interested in the educational field, regardless of the age of the students in question, though obviously there is a significant slant towards higher education.
January 24, 2024
I think I will give 5 stars to everything Gladwell has ever written. This book is essentially the collection of several of Gladwell's Revisionist History podcast where he tackles topics on higher education ranging from Brown vs. the Board of Education to the LSAT to the college rankings found in US News and World Report. As always, Gladwell's arguments are compelling, and I truly appreciate his critique of the United States' view of higher education. A great listen!
December 6, 2022
Agree with Malcolm Gladwell on most of these topics. It’s utterly obscene that our elite universities are sitting on vast tax free endowments while many families have been snookered into mortgaging their futures for a name brand college education. I say this as a graduate of a university consistently ranked in the US News Top 25 National Universities. Higher education is broken in this country.
November 25, 2023
Ok Malcolm Gladwell is awesome, I have listened to tons of his stuff and will continue. He lays it out there and makes u think. A lot I kinda knew and other stuff I didn't but it's just another system in our world that is flawed but.....I mean if u thought college was the answer to getting the American dream, wake up but if u already kinda knew that privilege plays a bigger part to ur "success" versus grit then ding ding, that's what's really happening but at the same time, lol-duh.
October 18, 2022
Compilation of Gladwell’s podcasts on education. Always great when Gladwell narrates an audio book.
October 13, 2023
It’s convincing, but any audiobook that’s just a collection of existing podcast episodes with minimal additional material will always feel like sort of a cop out to me.
February 6, 2024
4.5* - Content + presentation made this a fabulous book for me. I love the way Gladwell looks deeply into issues. He always manages to make me see things in different ways.
February 15, 2024
Terrific read. Really made me feel good about the work that I do at a school that believes in their student population and is not Ivy League. The statistics and conversation about the Ivy League really helped me to understand the system even better. I loved his approach and it really made me think about education in a different way. It is so important that higher ed is available to all people.
December 9, 2023
After working at a community college for over 10 years, I wholeheartedly agree with so many findings of Gladwell.
March 3, 2024
Gladwell is great. His books never fail to intrigue me with his thoughtful questions and ruthless search of answers.
April 1, 2023
Despite the coquettish nature of Gladwell’s audio delivery, this was as interesting as are most of Gladwell’s books. Dropping tips, zingers, and stuff y’all didn’t know. KHighlights this time include a takedown of US News’ college ranking survey and how Judge Antonin Scalia should have answered a law student’s question. Overall it was more like a long listen to NPR or a well-produced podcast than a book though. Maybe it’s just me, but that’s a task I can only enjoy in small doses.
January 31, 2023
Yes, it's a collection of Revisionist History, oh well. This is a thought provoking and honestly... infuriating look at the disparity and echo chamber we've created in the US education system and is really disgusting to think about the state of things.
This book pissed me off. And I think that's the point.
This book pissed me off. And I think that's the point.
March 7, 2023
Malcolm Gladwell is an absolute delight to read. His insights and writing abilities are at a higher level and worth reading and listening to. This book is no different than the rest. I loved it. I loved his insights. The only book of his that was hard for me to read was the book about the dogs seeing things!
April 19, 2024
Read this book because I hate my school and wanted to hear some more educated analysis as to why the Ivy League sucks. High key a disappointment. I guess he did say it was a “rant,” but still.
April 17, 2024
I always knew there was something wrong with colleges in America. Gladwell’s research proves just that. Its amazing how twisted our system is
Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews