<p>coureur: </p>
<p>The mystery of this guy’s obsession doesn’t bother me much, because I’ve encountered enough odd behavior in my life to shrug at most eccentricities. The mystery of why the programs keep accepting him is another thing entirely. </p>
<p>He doesn’t strike me as being an academic heavyweight based on what he said and what was said about him in the article that launched this thread, but it’s possible he brings something to the table that’s not in evidence in that article. It’s also possible he’s applying to programs that aren’t especially discriminating or selective. </p>
<p>To this point …</p>
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<p>I agree it would be a shame if this ever happened, but if it did, one would have to lay the blame at the doorstep of the adcom that passed over another, better qualified candidate in favor of the Degree Collector. It’s hard to imagine a legitimate master’s program favoring someone for whom the program was just another tassel over someone who expressed a more meaningful interest in the degree. But if that were to happen, it wouldn’t be this guy’s fault. (It goes back to your point about the mystery of why programs are enabling this guy, which I agree is mysterious.)</p>