This paper analyzes the relations between changing institutional culture and talent cultivation.Based on MIT organizational behavior scientist Edgar Scheins definition of organization culture,A pattern of shared basic assumptions that the group learned as it solved its problems that has worked well enough to be considered valid and is passed on to new members as the correct way to perceive,think,and feel in relation to those problems,the paper describes how an university should and could change its culture from both external adaptation and internal integration dimensions.At the external adaptation dimension,the university should clarify its core mission for cultivating students creativity,exploring and implementing respective strategies and approaches,including updating curriculum contents,emphasizing teaching innovation,strengthening the universities linkages with industries,etc.At the internal integration dimension,the university administrators should facilitate and support faculty and students reaching some common value orientation,including what are creative talents,how to cultivate creative talents,implementing corresponding faculty hiring criterions,student recruiting and evaluation standards,etc.the paper depicts these dimensions and elements by cases from both China and U.S.,including Tsinghua University,George town university,Stanford University.According to Schein,its hard to change an institutional culture; therefore,changing it needs tremendous investment in time,resources,work,and outside stimulus and intervention.The paper conclude that in order to cultivate creative talents,the university should uphold the universitys excellent traditions,reform outdated systems and customs,clarify its mission,linking the mission with specific objects,tasks and standards,strategies and approaches,.The administrators should pursuit reaching consensus and forming collaborative relationships among faculties and students.By doing so,teachers and students can share an innovative culture and atmosphere,engaging in common research and teaching activity,realizing individuals dreams,inspirations and creativity potentials to maximum extent.