I agree that for something like math/science/engineeering you could not get by just on affirmative action BS. At least you would have to have real intelligence and skill at math/science/engineering. Where a math graduate may seem stupid though, is they might not be good at much other than math. For example, they may be great at math, but have lousy verbal and interpersonal skills, and be short of common sense. But that at least beats a liberal arts graduate, where you might not have any real skill at anything, other than at pleasing professors, and if you are an affirmative action admit, you may not need even that, since the professors might be reluctant to flunk you, even if they dont like you, or think you are stupid.