As the cost of higher education continues to soar and becomes a breeding ground for anti-Western views, influential figures in Silicon Valley are looking into alternatives. They believe even top-tier schools like the Ivy League are failing to produce the best candidates and are, perhaps surprisingly, overlooking some of the most qualified students.
“It used to be that you could expect someone from an Ivy or similar institution to be outstanding,” noted Jordan Hirsch, who leads Palantir’s intensive Meritocracy Fellowship for high school graduates. “But that’s not really the case anymore… we thought there was a lot of untapped talent out there.”
Palantir has emerged as a pioneer in offering options beyond the traditional four-year degree, and it plans to expand the scope of its semester-long program.
The company’s fellowship spans four months, starting with a rigorous five-week course focused on Western civilization. This includes studying significant thinkers like Aristotle and notable historical figures such as Churchill. Instructors range from professors to journalists and even company executives like CEO Alex Karp and CTO Shyam Sankar.
Along with diving into classical studies and history, participants also engage in software development and later collaborate with Palantir teams for hands-on projects.
“We’re trying to create what we believe the college environment should be — all within five weeks,” Hirsch explained. The goal, he added, is to support and revitalize crucial institutions in the West, particularly in the U.S.
He aims for students to gain an appreciation for “individual dignity, freedom, human agency, and a true love for America, with all its flaws.”
Hirsch mentioned that about 700 applicants vied for just 26 spots last year, with applications for the upcoming class opening on October 15. The program hopes to accept as many as 50 fellows this time around.
Some participants are opting for this fellowship instead of college, while others plan to attend eventually. In stark contrast to the steep costs of traditional education—sometimes over $100,000 annually—Palantir provides its fellows with a monthly stipend of $5,400 to help with living expenses. Many see it as a refreshing alternative to the burdens of four-year universities and student loans.
“I believe that this fellowship, along with its values, should inspire reform in higher education, urging young people to explore their options rather than simply defaulting to college,” shared Gabe Botton, 19, a former fellow who now works full-time at Palantir.
“To me, the fellowship represents an age-old model of education. The U.S. once emphasized meritocracy over mere credentials—a tradition dating back to the country’s founding. Notably, George Washington didn’t have a formal degree, nor did many other prominent figures in our history,” added Nick Hutfliz, 20, another first cohort member employed at Palantir.
“Palantir offers an alternative path that aligns with a self-taught, self-motivated approach to learning, which I think will attract many students, especially as more sectors become open to allowing self-starters to thrive regardless of age or background,” he continued.
Others see a four-year commitment to college—as the world evolves so rapidly—as an unwise use of time.
“College will still be an option next year; this pivotal moment in technology won’t last forever,” remarked Sahana Crawford, 18, who is currently in the program.
“I could dedicate four years to studying and paying tuition, hoping to land a job at Palantir afterwards. Or I could seize the opportunity to work there before my first semester even begins,” Botton explained, highlighting his reasoning for joining the fellowship. “Honestly, I’d prefer to be 22 with four years of experience at Palantir, rather than holding a degree from any university.”
Palantir has faced scrutiny for its collaborations with the Department of Defense on various projects, including those related to Iran and ICE deportations. Ironically, this controversy has aided in attracting talent. “Several applicants found us because of the backlash—they figured there must be a deeper story worth exploring,” Hirsch remarked.
This initiative is part of a larger trend among tech companies and investors looking to reform university operations or establish their own alternatives.
The Thiel Fellowship, which began in 2011, was among the first to challenge conventional education by providing young people with grants and investor access, though it wasn’t specifically focused on educational frameworks.
The newly announced Horowitz Andreessen Academy, supported by a16z, aims to bring recent high school graduates to San Francisco for a tuition-free one-year fellowship starting in the fall of 2027. They will work on their startup ideas while studying topics ranging from AI design to fundraising, guided by experienced founders.
Additionally, the University of Austin, co-founded by Palantir’s Joe Lonsdale, launched in 2024 as a nonprofit four-year institution. It combines the Great Books of Western thought with training in mathematics, science, and AI.
“Unlike most universities, we are not neutral about America,” stated the school’s president, Carlos Carvalho. “The University of Austin was established to cultivate graduates capable of building future technologies intended for America.”
Students here delve into texts like Homer and the Bible alongside AI studies. The aim isn’t solely to teach them how to create powerful tools, but to consider the ethical frameworks those tools should support.
“America is entering an incredibly important technological era, yet our universities are failing to instill in students the principles that these formidable technologies should uphold,” Carvalho observed.
Palantir hopes its fellowship will encourage the development of other innovative educational models. “We want this approach to be replicated… we see it as a way to push universities to improve,” Hirsch stated. He believes that “competition leads to better results.”
