Why did Mike not go to Harvard?

Asked by: Susie Kohler  |  Last update: May 6, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (24 votes)

Mike Ross didn't go to Harvard Law School in the show Suits because he was expelled from his original college after selling a memorized calculus test to the dean's daughter, leading the dean to inform Harvard, which revoked his admission; subsequently, he couldn't attend any other top law school because he already claimed to be a Harvard graduate, and enrolling elsewhere would expose his fraud, making him unable to practice law legally.

Why did Mike get expelled from Harvard?

He was kicked out of u Seegars because of Trevor before he could graduate. He had been accepted to Harvard but since he was kicked out of his undergrad over the cheating scandal when Trevor sold the test to the dean's daughter, his Harvard admittance was null and void.

Does Mike ever end up going to Harvard?

He told Rachel he couldn't sign it because he never went to Harvard.

Does Mike Ross ever go to Harvard?

Despite not going to Harvard Law, or any other law school for that matter, Mike Ross was still able to practice law in Suits and there were several characters that made it possible. USA Network's legal drama premiered in 2011 and ran for 9 seasons.

Do they ever find out Mike didn't go to Harvard?

In the season finale of Suits season 1, Trevor told Jessica that Mike didn't attend Harvard Law School and wasn't a real lawyer. Following Trevor's confession about Mike, Jessica tells Harvey to fire him because of the fallout the fraud would have on the firm.

Why Mike Didn't Go To Harvard | Suits

28 related questions found

Does Mike ever become a legit lawyer?

Yes, in the TV show Suits, Mike Ross eventually becomes a legitimate lawyer by passing the bar exam after serving time for his fraud, though the process involved loopholes and his apprenticeship under Harvey Specter, ultimately allowing him to practice law legally in New York and later in Seattle. He passed the bar in Season 6 and became a junior partner at Pearson Specter Litt, solidifying his status as a real attorney.
 

What is Mike Ross's IQ?

Mike Ross's IQ isn't officially stated in Suits, but fans and analyses estimate it's extremely high (around 150-190+) due to his photographic/eidetic memory, allowing him to recall vast amounts of legal information, making him a savant in law despite lacking a degree, a trait often associated with exceptional cognitive abilities and fast learning. 

Does Rachel become a lawyer?

Rachel Zane is a paralegal-turned-lawyer and the daughter of Robert Zane.

How accurate is Suits legally?

Its portrayal of legal practice may be far from real-world defense law. Still, it presents an engaging narrative that captures the imagination of viewers who might not be familiar with the intricacies of the legal system or how a defense lawyer must work within the rules.

How do they get rid of Hardman in Suits?

Harvey refuses and a partners meeting is held to determine if he will be fired. At that meeting, Harvey and Mike reveal evidence (not all valid) of Hardman's past treachery, including his setting up Donna, Harvey and ultimately Jessica for the fall in the Coastal Motors case, and it is Hardman who is fired.

Does Mike Ross get his law degree?

No, Mike Ross never went to law school in Suits; he was hired as a genius associate by Harvey Specter despite lacking a law degree, a secret that drove much of the show's early plot, though he later became a real lawyer by passing the bar in Washington state after his prison sentence.
 

Is Suits based on a true story?

No, Suits isn't based on a single true story but is heavily inspired by creator Aaron Korsh's real-life experiences working on Wall Street, drawing parallels to his own unlikely path into writing and his relationship with a former boss named Harvey, with the show's core concept of a fake lawyer adapted from this background. While the law firm drama is fictionalized and exaggerated for TV, it incorporates elements from Korsh's past, including a good memory and a history with marijuana, making the first season a semi-autobiographical tale.
 

Did Trevor end up with Jenny?

However, Jenny breaks up with him because Trevor told her about a voicemail Rachel left talking about their kiss and confronts him about his feelings for Rachel Zane. He does not want to base his relationship with Rachel on a lie, so he intends to tell her that he does not have a law degree.

Why was Mike removed from Suits?

Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) left Suits after Season 7 primarily due to actor Patrick J. Adams wanting to move on, feeling Mike's story was complete, and desiring more time with family, coinciding with co-star Meghan Markle's (Rachel Zane) departure for her marriage to Prince Harry, leading to their characters moving to Seattle for a new venture. Adams also revealed personal struggles with depression and drinking during that time, which influenced his decision to leave the demanding schedule.
 

Can you take the NY bar without going to law school?

The applicant must study law in the law office for a period of four years under the supervision of an attorney who is admitted to practice law in New York . (Credit toward this four year requirement is given for successfully completed semesters in an ABA approved law school.)

Why did Jessica leave Suits?

Jessica Pearson left Suits at the end of Season 6 because actress Gina Torres's contract was up, and she was tired of the constant travel between the Toronto set and her home in Los Angeles, needing to focus on her personal life; in the show, Jessica moved to Chicago for a new career and to be with Jeff Malone, setting up her own spin-off series, Pearson.
 

How many years have passed in Suits?

So the entire Suits series takes place over the course of 5 years. Episodes and Seasons run after the other. There are no time jumps apart from 3 months between Season 3 and 4 and 6 weeks between Season 4 and 5. Season 2 episode Rewind goes back 5 years.

How much is Donna's salary in Suits?

Donna Paulsen's salary in Suits evolved significantly, starting as a top legal secretary earning around $70k-$90k annually and escalating to roughly $80k–$250k+ yearly as she became Harvey's Executive Assistant and later COO, with some estimates even suggesting over $1M at her peak, though exact figures varied by source and role. 

Who is the richest lawyer in Suits?

The richest lawyer in the TV show Suits is widely considered to be Harvey Specter, portrayed by Gabriel Macht, with some analyses suggesting his earnings as a senior or managing partner could reach millions annually, making him the top earner among the show's characters, though Jessica Pearson might have higher overall net worth as a firm leader.
 

How long does Mike Ross go to jail for in Suits?

Season 6 picks up right where Season 5 ends: Mike is being escorted to prison to serve his two years.

Who has a 400 IQ?

No one actually has a verified 400 IQ; it's a mythical score, but Adragon De Mello is often cited with a projected 400 IQ after graduating college at age 11, though experts believe the highest measurable IQs are around 250-300, with William James Sidis and Christopher Hirata being examples of exceptionally high, though lower, scores. A 400 IQ is considered mathematically impossible and beyond the range of standardized tests, which usually top out around 225-250.
 

What is Snoop Dogg's IQ?

Snoop Dogg's reported IQ is 147, a score that classifies him as highly gifted or a genius, surprising many given his history of straight C's in school, a fact he often jokes about, highlighting the difference between academic performance and real-world intelligence and success.
 

What actor has 180 IQ?

The actor most frequently cited with a very high IQ, including a reported 180, is James Woods, who excelled academically (MIT scholarship, high SAT scores) before pursuing acting, though some online lists are not always credible, and other geniuses like Rowan Atkinson (178) and Dolph Lundgren (160) are also noted for high intelligence.