College Standards 02

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In truth people of every generation have complained that the next generation had it easy. Socrates' students probably complained that Plato's students had it easy. Now though I think that there is more evidence.

I can understand why poorly regarded schools lower their academic standards. I can understand why moderately regarded schools lower their academic standards. Those schools face tough competition for students.

But why do elite schools lower their academic standards? If Harvard became more rigorous for students would it have to become less rigorous for applicants? Would Harvard see any drop in applicants? Say Harvard lost HALF its applicants. And had to let in 10% of its applicants instead of 5% of its applicants. Would it lead to worse undergraduate education at Harvard?

I do not think Harvard would lose rich parent tuition money either. Would a rich parent whose child got into a more rigorous Harvard decide 'No. I am going to send the kid to Boston College.'?


> I also think teachers have gone soft and parents are more litigious.

Litigation to ALLOW colleges to let more white people into college has been successful. Litigation to FORCE colleges to let more white people into college has been almost entirely unsuccessful. Grutter v. Bollinger set a precedent which has held sway ever since. Ed Blum is inventive. He is trying a side door in SFFA v. Harvard. I am not optimistic that Blum's inventiveness will earn him a victory.

Effectively, litigious parents are reduced to their children's favorite tactic: whining