The Eng. and Rural bit may simply be a matter of trying to spread the field. Growing up in a rural area, 'Harvard' is just some place you hear about from TV, f

The Eng. and Rural bit may simply be a matter of trying to spread the field. Growing up in a rural area, 'Harvard' is just some place you hear about from TV, few think they can get it. In a way it's kind of like economic classism, but from a different angle. As for 'family' ... Queen's U in Ontario does this because they think there is value to that kind of coherence. I believe this to be true, at least to the point wherein a Uni should be able to do this if they want. Obviously, problems arise when it gets to elitism (!) but at face value there's something to it. It's a tricky subject no matter what. Admissions at Harvard has to be in some ways one of the worst jobs in the world as I suggest they'll be right in the middle of the culture wars from here on in.