I once had a friend in graduate school who suggested that since we are
(in all honesty) so abysmally bad at predicting who will do well and who
will do poorly in university, that we should opt for an entirely
different admissions system: (1) Let in everyone who wants to come in.
(2) At the end of the first year, only allow the top half of the class
to continue on to second year. (3) At the end of second and third year,
allow only the top half of that year's class to return for the
(respectively) third and fourth year. (4) Only graduate the top half of
the fourth year class -- one sixteenth of the original starting class.
Now, I imagine that everyone will think that knocking out a full half
the class at the end of each year is a little harsh. Imagine that we
promoted 85% each year instead of just 50%. That would result in 52% of
the original group graduating at the end of four year. That way we
wouldn't have to predict which ones will succeed, we would give everyone
who wanted it a chance, and end up graduating those who were in the top
half.
Second chances? Sure. If you get knocked out, let's say you are allowed
to re-register and try again after two years out of the institution (or
perhaps you can simply start again at another school).
Any takers? :-)
Chris Green
York U.
Toronto
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