Chapter 4 Summary

A letter from a former teacher is insufficient to admit Einstein to the Zurich Polytechnic, so he studies for six months before sitting for exams. The director of the Polytechnic notices Albert's brilliant scores in mathematics and suggests he retake the exams in the subjects he failed. Albert resigns himself to attending another school to master the subjects he hated. To his surprise, he found the Swiss schools much different than those in Germany. The Swiss schools has less drill and more tolerance for his questions. Within a year, he earns the diploma which admits him to the Zurich Polytechnic.

He makes friends with his fellow students. Many of these are from lands ruled by tyrants and regard their diplomas as less important than learning. They want to return to their home countries and teach their less fortunate peers. Albert begins thinking of...