<p>We’re getting a bit far from the OP here, but yes, as it happens, I enrolled at Shimer at age 16 through the [early</a> entrance program](<a href=“http://www.shimer.edu/academicprograms/undergraduate/earlyentrantprogram.cfm"]early”>http://www.shimer.edu/academicprograms/undergraduate/earlyentrantprogram.cfm). (Early entrants account for about 20% of the student body, and also make up a majority of Shimer’s notable alumni, though I’m afraid I am not among those.) I recommend early entrance in the highest possible terms to anyone for whom it is an option. Grading by examination has gone by the wayside, however – there is still a system of comprehensive exams, but it has changed enormously from the original Hutchins vision. </p>
<p>It is probably (regrettably) true that the Hutchins vision was never a good match for the U of C or any comparable institution. But like many Shimer graduates, I count myself fortunate that his vision had time to flower, and drop at least one seed on fertile ground, before it met the reaper’s scythe.</p>