@jonathanmsk — 45x breakout

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I go to Harvard and I study economics.

@jonathanmsk

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Why it worked

The video leverages relatable cultural stereotypes about prestigious universities, using a high-contrast split-screen format that makes the comedic juxtaposition easy to consume and share.

Summary

A comedic skit contrasting the stereotypical student experiences and career paths of Harvard and Stanford students. The video uses a split-screen format to highlight the differences between the two archetypes.

Structure

1Introduction of the Harvard student archetype
2Description of the rigid, high-pressure Harvard career path
3Introduction of the Stanford student archetype
4Description of the chaotic, high-risk Stanford startup path
5Closing joke about the two different mindsets

On-screen text

Student Version Stanford University vs HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Transcript

I go to Harvard and I study economics. This summer I'm interning at Goldman. Then two years in banking, then business school, probably in Harvard again, and then private equity. I am on the board of three clubs and my five year plan has a five year plan. Everyone in my family went here. I will be extremely successful and slightly miserable. Exactly on schedule. I go to Stanford. Technically, I've been to four lectures. I am building a company out of my dorm. I raised a 5 million dollar seed round last week from a guy I met at a hackathon. My co founder dropped out on Tuesday and I dropped out on Wednesday. By Christmas we are worth over $100 million. Or nothing. But to be honest, I am fine with either scenario. I don't have a five year plan. I have a demo day. I wear the same hoodie everyday. On purpose. Peter Thiel paid me to leave.