Institutional prestige refers to the elevated reputation, influence, and symbolic authority of certain universities, hospitals, research centers, or professional organizations — often used as a shortcut to confer credibility and importance on people or publications associated with them.

• Historical reputation (e.g., Harvard, Oxford, Mayo Clinic)
• Selective access (high entry barriers for students or staff)
• Funding power and elite partnerships
• Media visibility and global rankings
• Influence over policy, publication, and peer networks

A review paper from a top-tier university may be accepted or cited widely regardless of its scientific merit, simply due to its affiliation halo.

• Merit by association – assuming quality due to the name on the letterhead.
• Gatekeeping – preference given to prestigious institutions in funding, publishing, and peer review.
• Bias reinforcement – ideas from lesser-known institutions face higher scrutiny.
• Stagnation – established institutions dominate discourse, discouraging innovation from below.

• Academic Prestige
• Gatekeeping
• Careerism
• Formalism
• Academic Theater

Bottom line: *Institutional prestige can open doors — but also close minds.*