Quality over quantity: Reducing graduate admission levels will ensure that school remains strong

Many departments are choosing to admit fewer graduate students than normal next year because of reduced funding. This is the right course of action for the University to take.

We know this is a tough pill to swallow especially for prospective graduate students.

But if admission rates stayed the same amid the imminent budget cuts it could be unfair to current graduate students.

Students who were promised a certain level of funding should not have support yanked out from under them.

That could happen if admission levels remained constant under the budget cuts.

It's more important for current students to continue to receive their stipends for living expenses and research than it is to maintain a steady admission level.

And the admission reductions could even have a silver lining.

Since fewer graduate students would be admitted the departments would naturally have to become more selective and thereby more prestigious.

A potential increase in prestige is speculative and as such it wouldn't be a good reason by itself to change admission rates.

But since budget cuts are upon us anyway it follows that we should take solace in the few bright spots that the cuts might bring.

It is certainly unpleasant to think of potential graduate students being turned away.

But in these uncertain times the University must look out for its current students and its reputation.

And reducing graduate admission levels is one way to ensure we continue to have a strong Graduate School.