I wonder. Harvard certainly admits some on the basis of criteria other than academic merit. It favours legacy students. It gives an advantage to historically mistreated minorities. And it wouldn't be surprising if it tried to curry favour with the powerful by admitting their less-than-brilliant offspring, too.

But even with all that, my impression is that the bar is still pretty darn high. Even the stupid Harvard grads are pretty capable.

Is that true? Any Harvard alums or faculty want to speak for or against this notion?