<p>to xiggi’s points on U Chicago, have a look at the graph in this article:
[Record</a> low acceptance rate: students still drawn by ?life of the mind? ? The Chicago Maroon](<a href=“Laureate discusses themes in contemporary poetry – Chicago Maroon”>Laureate discusses themes in contemporary poetry – Chicago Maroon)</p>
<p>Things started changing when the long-time admissions dean, Ted O’Neill, stepped down after admitting the class of '13. Note the starting point on the graph is that class, with about 27% admit rate…now 8.8% just 4 years later. Now that the school is 3 times more selective by this measure, is it that much better in those 4 years?..I think not.</p>
<p>Being a stats hound, I must admit to loving a deep wade in the numbers. But I believe its important to remember that admissions selectivity, as demonstrated with Chicago and many others, can be easily affected, in material ways, by things that have absolutely nothing to do with desirability of attending.</p>