  A recent paper used complicated machine learning methods to suggest that a new rubric-based graduate admissions approach was significantly different from the previous approach in an unspecified way. Simple inspection of the distributions of metrics shown in the paper shows that the rubric approach succeeded in the often-stated specific goal of increasing admissions of applicants with low undergraduate grade point averages and GRE scores. Nevertheless, the argument that this change is a promising way to improve graduate outcomes is based on a misreading of the prior literature. A method used in some of the analysis for dropping data points before running the machine algorithm is likely to bias those results. 
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