[Goose]

there’s been plenty of transfers including non degree candidates lately. I dont see why stanford shouldnt be operating at vandy’s level or better for admissions.

Then if they are non-degreed candidates, are they basically auditing courses? And if they are non-degree/audit candidates here for a year, couldn't Stanford greatly reduce entrance requirements for transfers?

The non-degree candidates are sometimes completing a "certificate" program. They get a piece of paper saying they are qualified in some particular subset of a larger body of knowledge. All the non-degree candidates do get "real" college credits that can be transferred to a degree granting program, at Stanford or elsewhere.
 
Of course, Stanford COULD reduce entrance requirements for these students, or all students for that matter. The question of should they reduce these requirements is a different one. It comes back to what is the purpose of the University and does reducing the entrance requirements serve that purpose. These non-degree candidates already have easier admissions requirements than "regular" students in many ways. I don't have a problem with that if these students are actually using excess capacity at Stanford that would otherwise be wasted. However, these programs (IMO) must not be used as a way to funnel athletes into the University preferentially to non-athletes. The playing field needs to be level. The individuals admitted must also actually complete the "program of study" successfully. It can't be a sham. If it is, the excess capacity is still being wasted to the detriment of those that would use it for its intended purpose.

[Goose]

there’s been plenty of transfers including non degree candidates lately. I dont see why stanford shouldnt be operating at vandy’s level or better for admissions.

Then if they are non-degreed candidates, are they basically auditing courses? And if they are non-degree/audit candidates here for a year, couldn't Stanford greatly reduce entrance requirements for transfers?

The non-degree candidates are sometimes completing a "certificate" program. They get a piece of paper saying they are qualified in some particular subset of a larger body of knowledge. All the non-degree candidates do get "real" college credits that can be transferred to a degree granting program, at Stanford or elsewhere.
 
Of course, Stanford COULD reduce entrance requirements for these students, or all students for that matter. The question of should they reduce these requirements is a different one. It comes back to what is the purpose of the University and does reducing the entrance requirements serve that purpose. These non-degree candidates already have easier admissions requirements than "regular" students in many ways. I don't have a problem with that if these students are actually using excess capacity at Stanford that would otherwise be wasted. However, these programs (IMO) must not be used as a way to funnel athletes into the University preferentially to non-athletes. The playing field needs to be level. The individuals admitted must also actually complete the "program of study" successfully. It can't be a sham. If it is, the excess capacity is still being wasted to the detriment of those that would use it for its intended purpose.