Stanford and the Ivy League universities reject most applicants. Well, more than most–about 94%. That’s dumb, according to University of Pennsylvania graduate Ben Nelson. Why can’t every qualified student get an Ivy League-level education? Nelson, who sold the photosharing site Snapfish to HP, thinks it’s possible. His solution is Minerva Schools at KGI.
With the Ivies rejection rates, “It’s like if Apple and Samsung only produced enough phones to meet 5 percent of global demand,” Nelson told journalist Jeff Selingo. Minerva is Nelson’s attempt to give more people the educational equivalent of an iPhone, whereas companies like the University of Phoenix–using some of his techniques–are serving up mere flip phones. Tuition is just $10,000–miles away from the Ivy League price tag. Innovative ideas abound in the new model, including the idea that the university itself floats from city to city. Check out Minerva Schools here.
