Assuming that DuBois is correct of course, but why German universities? What was so special about them? What did he meant by 'real positions'? Obviously, the dean is one but what are the other 'real' positions. Also, what was the reputation of Harvard University at This time? There was a humorous anecdote by DuBois where he claimed that he couldn’t sit for a test because a University that he attended in Berlin ‚didn‘t recognize Harvard as being of the same rank.‘ All of This I gleaned from his recorded AutoBiography around the 12:20 and 16:30 mark.
What was so special about them?
/u/restricteddata has several posts about what made German educational institutions stand out. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/nvkg2j/why_are_there_so_many_german_scientists_in_the/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/ajgayh/why_wasis_germany_so_powerful/eeydgo7/?context=999