List of Harvard University non-graduate alumni

List of notable individuals who attended Harvard University but did not graduate

List of Harvard University non-graduate alumni refers to notable individuals who attended Harvard University but did not complete a degree program. Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and many of its attendees have gone on to achieve significant accomplishments, even without graduating.

Notable Non-Graduate Alumni

Business

• Bill Gates - Co-founder of Microsoft Corporation. Gates attended Harvard College from 1973 to 1975 but left to pursue his business ventures.
• Mark Zuckerberg - Co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook. Zuckerberg left Harvard in 2004 to focus on developing the social media platform.

Politics

• Theodore Roosevelt - 26th President of the United States. Roosevelt attended Harvard College but did not complete his degree.
• Al Gore - 45th Vice President of the United States. Gore attended Harvard College but did not graduate.

Arts and Entertainment

• Matt Damon - Academy Award-winning actor and screenwriter. Damon attended Harvard College but left to pursue his acting career.
• Rivers Cuomo - Lead singer and guitarist of the band Weezer. Cuomo attended Harvard College intermittently but did not graduate.

Science and Technology

• Steve Ballmer - Former CEO of Microsoft. Ballmer attended Harvard College but left to join Microsoft.
• Edwin H. Land - Inventor and co-founder of Polaroid Corporation. Land attended Harvard but left to pursue his inventions.

Reasons for Non-Completion

Many individuals who attended Harvard University but did not graduate left for various reasons, including:

• Entrepreneurial pursuits: Some, like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, left to start companies that would become highly successful.
• Career opportunities: Others, such as Matt Damon, left to pursue careers in acting or other fields.
• Personal reasons: Some individuals may have left due to personal circumstances or a change in career goals.

Impact and Legacy

Despite not completing their degrees, many of these individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Their stories often highlight the importance of innovation, determination, and the pursuit of one's passions.

Also see

• List of Harvard University people
• List of Harvard University alumni
• Harvard University
• List of college dropout billionaires