It's apparently significantly easier to get admitted to Harvard University than it is to get a job at the Apple Store. At least for Apple's newest store in New York.
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At a press event today, Apple said that 10,000 people submitted applications to work at the new store on Manhattan's Upper West Side, according to Gizmodo's Matt Buchanan.
Of those, just over 200 got jobs, for a 2% acceptance rate.
Meanwhile, Harvard's acceptance rate was 7% this past year, according to a March report in the Boston Globe. That's 29,000 applications for about 2,000 admissions.
Obviously, the requirements and admission processes for college and a retail job are much different -- these aren't direct comparisons. But it's amazing how selective Apple can be with its retail employees. And it's amusing that, at least statistically, the odds of getting into Harvard are better than getting a job selling iPods.
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This may put new meaning into the term "Genius Bar."
Click here for a few first-look photos of the new store, gathered from Twitter >
Sure, let's break down the concepts involved in the article:
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Harvard University Admission Rate: Harvard's reported acceptance rate of 7% indicates how selective the institution is. This figure comes from a Boston Globe report stating that out of 29,000 applicants, around 2,000 gained admission.
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Apple Store Job Application: The article highlights the rigorous selection process at Apple's new store in New York. It received 10,000 applications and hired just over 200 employees, resulting in a mere 2% acceptance rate.
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Statistical Comparison: The article draws attention to the contrasting acceptance rates between Harvard University and the Apple Store. Although these two acceptance processes differ significantly, the statistical odds of securing a job at the Apple Store appear to be lower than getting into Harvard.
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Implications and Irony: The article concludes with a play on the term "Genius Bar," humorously highlighting the surprising difficulty of securing a job at Apple compared to gaining admission to a prestigious university.
To delve deeper into these concepts:
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Harvard's Selectivity: Harvard's low acceptance rate is well-known in higher education circles. It signifies the high standards the university maintains in selecting its incoming students. The institution looks not only for academic excellence but also for exceptional extracurricular activities, unique personal qualities, and contributions to the community.
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Apple's Employment Selection: Apple's stringent hiring process for its retail positions involves multiple interviews and assessments focused on customer service, technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and alignment with the company's values and culture. This selectivity aims to maintain the high-quality customer experience Apple is known for.
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Comparing Different Selection Processes: The article highlights the irony in the statistical comparison between Harvard admission and employment at Apple. While they are entirely different processes with distinct criteria, the stark difference in acceptance rates offers an intriguing perspective on the competitiveness of certain job markets compared to prestigious academic institutions.
Understanding these concepts helps contextualize the article's observation about the surprisingly low odds of landing a job at Apple's store in comparison to securing admission to a renowned university like Harvard, despite the fundamental differences in the application processes and criteria for selection.
