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The University of Impossible-to-Get-Into (Update)

Freakonomics Radio

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Prestige Drives Exclusivity in Admissions

Universities are engaged in a competitive quest for prestige, defined by their selectivity compared to peers. Analysis of elite institutions reveals that when prestige is factored in, enrollment rates decline and average SAT scores rise. Conversely, without the prestige variable, admissions rates would increase, leading to more applicants and matriculants, while average SAT scores would slightly decrease. This indicates that competition for prestige fosters a current climate of exclusivity, akin to luxury branding, where institutions could afford to admit more students, thereby reducing the competitive pressure.

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