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I am inordinately proud of the fact that I went to the University of Exeter, and I consider that its vice-chancellor, Steve Smith, has two excellent points in his favour: his first name (although the spelling could be improved), and a second name that begins with the best of all letters. But I am somewhat baffled by his recent stance on school effects ("Hard facts show that contextual admissions are right and fitting", 25 March). I understand from the publicity that I attended "probably the best university in the world". I had thought until now that this counted in my favour. I now gather from Smith that it counts against me.

Stephen Senn, Professor of statistics, University of Glasgow.