My problem with this argument is that it is only valid if the students have the same choices, and they do not. A student who gets accepted into Harvard can get in to any of the less selective schools, while the student who is admitted to Morehouse may or may not be able to get into Emory and Harvard. So the point of choosing a Traditional College is moot. It is not an option for weaker students and it is irrelevant to high performing students.

Schools that are less selective take greater risks with their student body. Maybe they do so because they have no choice or because they choose to fulfill a perceived need. The top students who do go to colleges like Morehouse and Clark can and do compete with the top students from Emory and sometimes even Harvard.

Graduation rates, which are tied to selectivity, is definitely a factor to consider when choosing a college, but not for the reasons stated. High graduation rates reflect a better top to bottom ability of the class. This is important when considering the strength of class discussions, study groups, and group projects, but an individuals chance of crossing the stage with a degree. No school has institutional mechanisms that will transform a passive student into graduate.

For an individual looking to graduate, make sure you can do so financially, then study.

A College Graduate.