The story includes some skipping class yet
getting a Fields Medal.
At least here in the US:
In academics, a grade of A is better than
the rest yet still some independent or
from outside school results can mean more
than grades and even make poor grades
irrelevant.
Some examples:
E.g., for getting into a selective
college, SAT Math scores (from outside of
school) the highest in my high school
class made everything else irrelevant.
E.g., overlooked my F in Typing!
Actually, the Typing class was very
worthwhile and learned touch typing, but
the class was nearly all girls, GORGEOUS,
who buzzed away with perfect accuracy at
maybe 30 characters a second!
E.g., in graduate school, found a problem
and in two weeks got a solution accepted
right away by Mathematical Programming.
Suddenly had an impenetrable shield and
all grades and everything else were
irrelevant.
E.g., before grad school thought of a
problem and had a first solution; in grad school wrote a
first draft; wrote and ran the related
software; and wrote the document, all
independently. Stood for orals and
graduated.
Again, course grades are not everything,
and good independent work can make
everything else irrelevant.
At least here in the US:
In academics, a grade of A is better than the rest yet still some independent or from outside school results can mean more than grades and even make poor grades irrelevant.
Some examples:
E.g., for getting into a selective college, SAT Math scores (from outside of school) the highest in my high school class made everything else irrelevant. E.g., overlooked my F in Typing!
Actually, the Typing class was very worthwhile and learned touch typing, but the class was nearly all girls, GORGEOUS, who buzzed away with perfect accuracy at maybe 30 characters a second!
E.g., in graduate school, found a problem and in two weeks got a solution accepted right away by Mathematical Programming. Suddenly had an impenetrable shield and all grades and everything else were irrelevant.
E.g., before grad school thought of a problem and had a first solution; in grad school wrote a first draft; wrote and ran the related software; and wrote the document, all independently. Stood for orals and graduated.
Again, course grades are not everything, and good independent work can make everything else irrelevant.