Thiel Fellowship

More of an extended Facebook post than a blog post, but I do want people to be aware of this opportunity, so…

     Peter Thiel launched the Thiel Fellowship today. If you were born in 1992 or later then (a) get off my lawn and turn that music down, if you can call it music, it just sounds like noise to me and are those supposed to be clothes… oh, sorry… and (b) you can apply for a Fellowship. The details:

Thiel Fellows are given a no-strings-attached grant of $100,000 to skip college and focus on their work, their research, and their self-education. They are mentored by our network of visionary thinkers, investors, scientists, and entrepreneurs, who provide guidance and business connections that can’t be replicated in any classroom. Rather than just studying, you’re doing.

     Regular Facebook followers (and don’t feel obliged to admit to that) will know that I find some elements of the wider education ‘debate’ lacking in nuance: definitions of ‘success’, for example, seem to be increasingly limited and tautologous, and I’d rather see someone become a doctor than invent ‘Angry Birds IX – Doric Column Edition’. However, I do think that people should ask themselves whether or not college is their best route to the success they want, and if they have an entrepreneurial bent, and talent, this is a marvellous opportunity for them.

     Furthermore, a two-year break from education doesn’t remove the possibility of returning to it. I spent 7 years in business between my BA and MA, and another three years between my MA and BSc/PhD.

     In short: if you’re in the age range, and considering your options, head over to the site and take a look.