News Finding: Interesting study teasing out contradictory hypotheses within the research literature on college selectivity | 
Paper Finding: However, as this article shows, merely attending a more selective college does not make much of a difference for a given student's chances of graduating if all else remains the same.
News Context: Interesting study teasing out contradictory hypotheses within the research literature on college selectivity | 
Paper Context: It is possible that colleges with low graduation rates can make some institutional changes to help their students stay in college and complete their studies. However, as this article shows, merely attending a more selective college does not make much of a difference for a given student's chances of graduating if all else remains the same. We find at best weak evidence that institutions raise, via academic selectivity, the graduation rates of students who otherwise would have lower chances of graduating.