Another great way this could play out is that, if elite institutions lose their totemic status, the students who otherwise might have gotten into Ivies under racial preferences instead go (in addition to places like SUNYs or Cal States) to colleges that actually emphasize *teaching*, which is so often secondary or tertiary compared to research and publishing output. There are lots of fantastic colleges that don’t have the brand of an Amherst or Williams or Reed. It might even then put pressure back on those elite institutions, or research or large state universities in general, to really prioritize teaching, although perhaps that’s too naïve a hope.
Another great way this could play out is that, if elite institutions lose their totemic status, the students who otherwise might have gotten into Ivies under racial preferences instead go (in addition to places like SUNYs or Cal States) to colleges that actually emphasize *teaching*, which is so often secondary or tertiary compared to research and publishing output. There are lots of fantastic colleges that don’t have the brand of an Amherst or Williams or Reed. It might even then put pressure back on those elite institutions, or research or large state universities in general, to really prioritize teaching, although perhaps that’s too naïve a hope.