<p>“For example, you will never see a six-year graduation rate of 97% at Swarthmore or Caltech. The academic programs are simply to rigorous for EVERYONE to make it.”</p>
<p>I find it hard to believe that these elite schools wouldn’t tailor their rigor to match the students they accept. (And that is why they only accept such excellent students.) The only thing I know about Swarthmore is that after accepting such amazing students they are committed to ensuring these students don’t just flunk out. If they need help the professors will personally ensure they get enough tutoring to understand the material.</p>
<p>However, at least for CalTech, I wouldn’t be surprised that some number of students leave because they reconsidered what they would like to study, and their new choice might not be offered there. My daughter started at a state flagship with the intent to study engineering. One quarter of engineering convinced her that wasn’t really what she wanted to do. She started taking various other classes, found she loves psychology and will be graduating with that degree. Those big state flagships have that option, which is probably why their retention rates are so high.</p>