Help me understand Gate's words.

Question

He also reminisced about his accommodations at Harvard, saying his particular lodgings had been a great place to live. "Radcliffe was a great place to live.There were more women up there, and most of the guys were science-math types," Gates said, with a smile. "That combination offered me the best odds, if you know what I mean. This is where I learned the sad lesson that improving your odds doesn't guarantee success."

I was reading remarks of Bill Gates at Harvard Commencement and found this part difficult.

1.There were more women up there -> what does 'up' mean in this sentence?

2.most of the guys were science-math types -> What is science-math types?

Thanks in advance.

Nona the brit · Accepted Answer

up there...there...living at Radcliffe.

science-math types - those studying science and maths, he is saying 'geek' types.

CalifJim · Answer

Radcliffe was a great place to live.There were more women up there, and most of the guys were science-math types," Gates said, with a smile. "That combination offered me the best odds, if you know what I mean. This is where I learned the sad lesson that improving your odds doesn't guarantee success.

Radcliffe College (for women) was a great place to live. There were more women there (possibly north of where he was before, hence, up), and most of the guys (The college was gradually allowing men to enroll at the time, so it was no longer only for women, as it had been traditionally.) were the type of men who were so obsessed with their chosen field of study -- science or math -- that they were not very interested in women. Being very academic, they weren't appealing to the women there either. The combination (of many women and only a few not very appealing men to compete with) offered me the best chance of meeting attractive women (and perhaps even the chance of some amorous encounters). This is the situation in which I learned the lesson, sadly, that just because there is a greater opportunity to do something doesn't mean a person will be successful at realizing that opportunity. [He was not successful at meeting women.]

CJ

Ahn · Answer

Thank you for the answer, Nona the Brit.

And thank you for the detailed explanation, Califjim. You answered all the questions that may arise but for your help.

Now I understand it fully

Yankee · Answer

AhnI was reading remarks of Bill Gates at Harvard Commencement and found this part difficult.

1.There were more women up there -> what does 'up' mean in this sentence? I assume he used 'up' because Radcliffe is situated north of Harvard.

CalifJim · Answer

Is that your doggie? In your garden?

CJ

Ahn · Answer

I see, Thank you, Yankee.

And yes, CalifJim. It is my dog's picture in the apartment complex where I live.

Ahn · Answer

By the way, I don't know if apartment complex is a right word.

What is the difference between condominium and apartment complex in the U.S.?

CalifJim · Answer

An apartment complex is a building or group of buildings divided into individual living units (apartments) which are rented month to month. A condominium (condo, for short) is indistinguishable from an apartment in appearance. The difference is that, unlike an apartment, it is not rented. It is owned, like a house. Some condominiums are free-standing, but most are units within a condominium complex, like apartments.

CJ

Ahn · Answer

The concept of apartment complex is dfifferent from ours. Condo or condominium complex would be appropriate for referring to apartments here.

Thank you for your answer, CalifJim!

CalifJim · Answer

P.S. One small point I forgot to mention earlier:

The picture does not belong to your dog, so it's not your dog's picture.
It is a picture of your dog. (The apostrophe-s pattern can't be used in speaking of what is shown in pictures, paintings, photos, etc. Only an ofstructure is used.)

He (she) seems like a friendly little critter!

CJ

Help me understand Gate's words.

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