the other other reason for MIT's rise was its acceptance of Jewish scientists fleeing Germany in the pre WWII period, while the ivy league schools* still had (anti) Jewish quotas.
also, MIT was not a complete slouch before that, as Harvard proposed absorbing MIT in the early part of the 20th century.
* which weren't technically ivy league yet, that league being found in 1954
Interesting. My own alma mater UCL was founded on openness to women
and Jews and has thrived on that ticket of inclusivity. It was early
to the table in admitting overseas students when most UK universities
only recruited provincially.
When visiting central London I sometimes feel like a walk around the
Gower Street quad, and seem able to mooch about the campus and poke my
head into familiar lecture halls - even though it's central London
location would seem to make theft/vandalism a threat.
I think a lot of this physical security lockdown nonsense is
post-pandemic culture, and obviously the profitability of "security
industries"
also, MIT was not a complete slouch before that, as Harvard proposed absorbing MIT in the early part of the 20th century.
* which weren't technically ivy league yet, that league being found in 1954