While reaching groundbreaking success after becoming Microsoft’s first CEO, the company’s co-founder Bill Gates admitted that he regretted leaving Harvard University in 1975. Gates became nostalgic while reflecting on his time at the university, regretting his decision to leave the intellectually stimulating environment of higher academia.
Gates revealed in his new memoir, Source Code, that he had always intended to return to Harvard University to complete his degree. He greatly valued the academic experience and told CNBC Make It, “I enjoyed Harvard. I enjoyed the classes, including some that I just sat in on: psychology, economics, and history courses. I loved having smart people around. We could sit and talk late into the night about very interesting things.”
The Struggles of Choosing Microsoft
As a 20-year-old Harvard University undergraduate, Gates genuinely enjoyed the college experience, which made the decision between staying at Harvard or pursuing Microsoft difficult. The billionaire delayed making the decision for as long as he could, struggling with the idea of leaving school to start a software company. However, certain circumstances ultimately forced Gates to choose.
While in high school, Gates and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen foresaw that microprocessors—small computer chips—would eventually turn bulky, expensive computers into smaller, more affordable, personal machines accessible to everyone. However, Gates didn’t believe the technology industry was ready—until 1974, when Allen “burst into my room” carrying the latest issue of Popular Electronics, according to his memoir.
The magazine featured a cover story about a computer kit that had the potential to change the industry. The cover highlighted the “world’s first minicomputer kit to rival commercial models,” a computer made by Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS) called the Altair 8800. The story ultimately motivated Allen and Gates to move forward in the technology industry, believing they could be at the forefront of rapid change by creating software for this computer, which they envisioned would eventually end up in nearly every American home.
The duo knew that someone else might beat them to the punch if they didn’t act quickly.
Balancing Microsoft with Academia
So, Gates co-launched Microsoft with Allen in 1975; however, for two years, the billionaire tried to balance his academic commitments with running the company. He even tried running Microsoft from afar while he returned to Harvard for two more semesters in 1976.
Struggling with the idea of leaving his education behind, according to Gates, he even attempted to convince another friend and early Microsoft programmer, Ric Weiland, to “take charge of things” so that he could finish his education. However, Weiland chose to attend graduate school, which left Gates without a reliable successor.
“Even Ric wasn’t going to pull things together with the intensity that I knew we needed to stay in front,” Gates stated. Facing the urgency to seize the opportunity that presented itself, Gates ultimately decided to leave Harvard permanently. “I had to give in to the inevitable, and give up school and, of course, never go back.”
Microsoft’s Success
During Gates’ time at the helm of Microsoft—where he remained until 2000—the company reshaped the technology industry, establishing a dominant presence that changed how people interact with computers and how businesses utilize technology today. Microsoft’s success made Gates one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. Now, as one of the largest companies in the world, Microsoft is valued at roughly $3 trillion, according to CNBC.
A former Harvard applied mathematics professor, Harry Lewis, who taught Gates, admitted his regrets. “I wasn’t surprised when he dropped out,” Lewis said. “I just wish I’d invested in him.” He recalled Gates as an exceptionally mature student who thrived on intellectual challenges. “He always wanted a challenge,” Lewis added.
