I'm often amazed at how cavalierly advice like this is given. We're talking about a major (yes, major) decision here.
And the logic... drop out of college because a handful of very smart entrepreneurs were able to start successful businesses without their degree? Come on. Let's count the successful college graduates who have made it big AND the college drop-outs who have tried and failed (and double count the ones that never went back; yikes, hard to count). Or let's make it conditional, "if you know you're of Bill Gates' stature and timing is of the essence, sure, drop out. If not, get the piece of paper you've already put time and money towards (and have fun!). Then start your business."
But at least they're putting their money where their mouth is via investments. I'd be curious, though, whether the drop-outs they're funding are recent drop-outs, or whether the founders cut their teeth elsewhere before starting their current venture. If the latter, the advice perhaps becomes, "drop out of college to get a job at a start-up and maybe start your own business later." Which leads us to the obliging question to Fred and Caterina (and everyone else in tech) - how many young non-grads have they hired recently in their own companies or portfolio companies.
And the logic... drop out of college because a handful of very smart entrepreneurs were able to start successful businesses without their degree? Come on. Let's count the successful college graduates who have made it big AND the college drop-outs who have tried and failed (and double count the ones that never went back; yikes, hard to count). Or let's make it conditional, "if you know you're of Bill Gates' stature and timing is of the essence, sure, drop out. If not, get the piece of paper you've already put time and money towards (and have fun!). Then start your business."
But at least they're putting their money where their mouth is via investments. I'd be curious, though, whether the drop-outs they're funding are recent drop-outs, or whether the founders cut their teeth elsewhere before starting their current venture. If the latter, the advice perhaps becomes, "drop out of college to get a job at a start-up and maybe start your own business later." Which leads us to the obliging question to Fred and Caterina (and everyone else in tech) - how many young non-grads have they hired recently in their own companies or portfolio companies.