The Daily The Sunday Read: ‘The Man Who Couldn’t Stop Going to College’
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Aug 18, 2024 Dive into the intriguing life of Benjamin B. Bolger, a man with 14 advanced degrees from prestigious universities. His story sparks a conversation about the relevance of higher education today. Discover his struggle with dyslexia and the relentless pursuit of knowledge, despite challenges. Explore the innovative world of college admissions consulting, blending personal storytelling with elite connections. Finally, witness the unique homeschooling adventures of a father and daughter as they tackle hands-on learning and important social issues like summer hunger.
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Bolger's Early Life and Education
- Benjamin Bolger's early life was marked by a car accident, his parents' divorce, and his dyslexia.
- Despite these challenges, his mother homeschooled him, nurturing his love for learning through unconventional methods like museum visits and library stays.
Early College Experiences
- At 11, Bolger began taking college courses, relying on his mother to read aloud and help with assignments due to his dyslexia.
- He excelled at the University of Michigan but struggled and dropped out of Yale Law School due to the intense reading load.
Academic Odyssey
- Bolger thrived at Oxford's tutorial system, similar to his homeschooling experience, then continued collecting degrees across prestigious universities.
- He pursued masters in various fields, from sociology and politics at Cambridge to architecture at Columbia and design studies at Harvard.