Scott Alexander summarizes and responds to reader comments on his article about increasing competition in college admissions, covering various factors and perspectives on the issue. Longer summary

This post highlights comments on Scott Alexander's original article about college admissions. The comments cover various aspects, including factors influencing college selectivity, the impact of college prestige on careers, the role of rankings and admissions rates, the importance of extracurricular activities, the influence of student loans, and comparisons between the US and Canadian university systems. Some commenters offer personal experiences and perspectives on the increasing competitiveness in college admissions and other fields. The post also touches on broader themes of increasing competition in society and possible explanations for this trend. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines the history of increasing competitiveness in college admissions, analyzing causes and questioning whether the focus on elite college admission is justified. Longer summary

Scott Alexander explores the history of college admissions and the increasing competitiveness in recent years. He traces the evolution from a time when top colleges admitted almost anyone qualified to the current highly competitive landscape. The post examines various factors contributing to this change, including increased applications per student, changing demographics, and shifts in evaluation criteria. Scott also investigates whether the intense focus on college admissions is justified, given research suggesting that attending a selective college may not significantly impact most students' long-term outcomes. Shorter summary