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<p>It is a shame, but the school also derives a benefit from the “reputation”. They end up with a student body that is at least willing, if not eager, to play from the back tees. I think that little bit of self-selection is - to a very large degree - what makes the academics at Swarthmore so special. There are no surprises. The students knew they would be playing from the back tees.</p>
<p>I agree with your larger point. Anyone who thinks they will have to work too hard at Swarthmore is going to be in for a rude surprise if they expect to do well at any of the top colleges. There was never a moment during my four years at Williams when I didn’t feel like I should have studying. That’s college.</p>
<p>On this Brown thing, I don’t think Brown can really complain about a little elbow in the ribs on their grading system. It is pretty incredible the lengths they go to to avoid recording an “average” or below grade on the transcript. “Satisfactory with Distinction” cracks me up every time.</p>