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[quote=Anonymous]I'm curious about the geographic background of those who consistently criticize Cal and other elite public universities. My bet is the bias against publics comes from posters in states like MA or NY, where the flagship universities lack the prestige of schools like Cal, Michigan, or UVA.

Having grown up in CA, I've always viewed Cal as academically equivalent to Stanford, and I deeply respect the egalitarian mission of public universities. Their multiple admission pathways, including community college transfers, reflect a commitment to opportunity and social mobility that elite privates have historically lacked, and probably still do since they've priced out the middle class.

The top students at Cal are academically comparable to those at any Ivy or other elite private, even if they were admitted without test scores. Meanwhile, plenty of Ivy students coast through on family connections, get powered through private feeder schools for the wealthy, or basically just get ahead the way the privileged always seem to do.

Much of the criticism centers on large class sizes and the presence of "average" students at public universities. This reveals an elitist mindset, which is the fear that associating with students of varying abilities will somehow diminish one's own education or prospects. I went to an elite law school and my education wasn't diminished by some of the undeserving privileged dopes wasting space around campus. Some less than elite but hardworking kids are going to do nothing but enhance everyone's experience.

I'd choose a no test score community college transfer who worked their way to Berkeley over an entitled private highs school at Yale grad any day. The former demonstrates grit, determination, and genuine academic achievement.[/quote]

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