As the value of a higher education degree gets called into question, the bar for academic excellence is getting higher.
At the Ivy level, rampant grade inflation has led Harvard to finalize a decision this week on a proposal capping the number of A’s per class at 20 percent. One of the upsides, according to advocates, is that it would encourage risk-taking.
Of course, no one ever accused fashion students of taking too few risks. But the mentality of awarding participation can still dull a design school’s competitive edge. That’s why Parsons sharpened its 2026 BFA show Sunday, by making access more exclusive, downsizing from 263 participants last year to 31.
Student designers walk the finale at Parsons’ 2026 BFA show.
Madison Voelkel/BFA.com
