<p>I was a TA in the 1980s. The undergrads were very smart and well respected by the grad students and the faculty. All were considered to be the best and brightest the country offered, and if they weren’t when they arrived, they would be when they left. If one was admitted to The University, it was assumed one knew of the rigor and was eager for it. It was a fun place to be for that reason (and there was plenty of other fun as well 
).</p>