Key insights

• 💻 Make School offers a project-based bachelor's program in applied computer science with an income share based model
• 📚 The curriculum is project-based, and students can graduate with a bachelor's degree in two years via an intensive track
• 🔗 The program focuses on equipping students with portfolios to differentiate themselves in the job market
• 💰 The traditional liberal arts education is valuable, but practical career-focused education is crucial, especially for low-income students
• 🚀 Encouraging independence and autodidactic behavior
• 🌍 Socioeconomic diversity of student body
• 🖥️ Computer science education centered on project-based learning and real-world application
• ⚖️ Pressure for traditional higher education to align incentives with students and offer alternatives

Q&A

• What should higher education institutions prioritize according to the YC alum's advice?

  Higher education institutions should prioritize student outcomes, avoid predatory ISA practices, focus on preparing students for success as entrepreneurs, and prioritize real-world experience and solving concrete problems.

• How does the conversation address the adaptation of higher education to user needs?

  The dialogue emphasizes the need for educational institutions to align with the needs of their users, addressing the impact of privilege and safety nets in higher education.

• What is the focus of the discussion on the relevance of degrees and aligning incentives in higher education?

  The discussion revolves around making degrees relevant by integrating practical skills, rethinking accreditation standards, considering income share agreements for aligning incentives, and addressing disparities faced by those from lower-income backgrounds.

• How does Make School address the balance between technical and liberal arts education?

  The school aims to encourage independence and autodidactic behavior while acknowledging the limitations of self-teaching in technical fields, emphasizing the value of a practical, career-focused education.

• What is the significance of the socioeconomic diversity of the student body at Make School?

  The speaker discusses the importance of providing technical education to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, emphasizing the need for practical, career-focused education for low-income students.

• Why does Make School focus on project-based learning?

  The program focuses on equipping students with portfolios that differentiate them in the job market, preparing them for successful career outcomes.

• How long does it take to graduate from Make School's program?

  Students can graduate with a bachelor's degree in two years via an intensive track, focusing on project-based learning and real-world application.

• What degree program does Make School offer?

  Make School offers a project-based bachelor's degree program in applied computer science with a unique income share based model.

• 00:00 Make School is a new college in San Francisco offering a project-based bachelor's degree program in applied computer science without tuition upfront, faculty from industry backgrounds, and an accelerated two-year intensive track. The program focuses on project-based learning, equipping students with portfolios to differentiate themselves in the job market. The school operates on an income share based program and focuses on preparing students for successful career outcomes. The traditional liberal arts education is valuable, but practical career-focused education is crucial, especially for low-income students.
• 06:33 The speaker discusses the importance of providing technical education to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and the need for a balance between technical and liberal arts education. The focus is on encouraging independence and autodidactic behavior while acknowledging the limitations of self-teaching in technical fields.
• 13:42 A college focused on project-based learning and industry relevance; Targeting students' passion and parents' concerns for education; Addressing the changing landscape of higher education and future-proofing skills.
• 20:24 Higher education is facing pressure to improve, including aligning incentives with students and offering alternatives. Income share agreements are becoming more common, but traditional top schools remain major hiring funnels for new grads. There is no systemic shift in companies dropping college degree requirements. The focus should be on addressing the structural pathway for low-income Americans to access higher-earning software engineering jobs at large tech companies.
• 27:24 The conversation revolves around the relevance of degrees, the impact of privilege, and aligning incentives in higher education. There is a push to make degrees relevant by integrating practical skills, rethinking accreditation standards, and considering income share agreements. The dialogue also addresses the disparities faced by those from lower-income backgrounds and the need for educational institutions to align with the needs of their users. 💬
• 34:24 Higher education institutions should prioritize student outcomes, beware of predatory ISA practices, and focus on preparing students for success as entrepreneurs. Students interested in entrepreneurship should gain real-world experience and solve concrete problems. YC alum recommends focusing on making something people want and avoiding tactical mistakes that can lead to running out of money.