In the latest round of graduate school recommendations that lighten one's winter break, I have noticed that not satisfied with asking whether your protégé is in the top 1, 5, 10 % etc, some schools now offer the option: "Best ever." Some decades ago, 5% was the top cut, and marking that meant "Definitely take her/him", while marking 10% meant: "Take her/him if you have room." (All the other categories were definitely "I do not recommend.")
Then the 1/2% question was introduced, and ticking that meant: "I am going out on a limb for this person: you'd be insulting me if you didn't take her/him." So that was a test of your own clout, and not just about the student. It was particularly bad for you if your former graduate school failed to admit one of your 1%ers.
But what does the "Best Ever" option mean? Obviously, it isn't meant to be taken literally. None of these questions is. I figure it means "I am a liar." So only Cretans tick that box. Right? And does it benefit your protégé or not if you are a Cretan?
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