Race to the Finish; The rise of faster bachelor’s degrees raises the question: What is college for?

Suzanne T. Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools, said in a statement that, while the group and its members “care deeply about” finding ways to address the cost of higher education, they “caution against promising students that a three-year bachelor’s degree will prepare them appropriately for graduate school in all circumstances.” She pointed out that graduate schools must comply with requirements set by accreditors and state boards, and noted that admissions committees consider applicants’ extracurricular activities, research, and internships — experiences that an accelerated college degree may not allow time for.