Were harvard required to accept 40% of applicants at some point? (Google fails me) I was part of an experiment where the physics department at my uni admitted

Were harvard required to accept 40% of applicants at some point? (Google fails me) I was part of an experiment where the physics department at my uni admitted everyone who applied. Even those without the required prerequisites. Most of the "extras" dropped out or transfered or failed etc. But about 20% graduated. I think in one way this proved the normal application system was mostly effective. But it also gave people chances they never would have had. I was insulted (I'd got my grades!) initially but it taught me something about opportunity. Maybe we'd be better doing this everywhere?