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<p>“A long time ago”, the most selective publics like Berkeley were not all that selective, at least for most majors or divisions. For example, in the 1980s, more than half of entering frosh at Berkeley were placed in remedial English writing courses (to place into non-remedial English writing courses, one had to score a 600 on the English achievement test (now 680 on SAT Reasoning writing) or a 3 on an English AP test, or get a passing grade on the university’s English placement test). More recently, fewer than 10% of entering frosh are placed in remedial English writing courses (based on checking how much class capacity is shown in the on-line schedule), presumably reflecting the higher selectivity due to much bigger high school graduating classes now.</p>
<p>A look at the class schedule of a much less selective school like Arizona State reveals a large percentage of students in remedial English writing courses.</p>
<p>Four year graduation rates have gone from under 40% then to about 70% now, again likely reflecting increased selectivity (and perhaps the higher cost now also provides incentive for students not to dawdle on the way to graduation).</p>