Girard had never been in the habit of speaking quietly.
The hall fell silent at once. Even Archbishop Beaumont on the stage had to cover the awkwardness with a dry cough.
Campa, the dean of the University of Paris Academy of Sciences, hurried over and sat beside Girard, signaling for him not to make a scene. "Philip, whatever it is, you can come to me after the ceremony."
Well, Girard was precisely the nobleman he himself had criticized. He was also an alternate member of the French Academy of Sciences and knew Campa well.
Girard gestured toward Thénard beside him. "You should know Mr. Thénard's written examination results—mathematics, mechanics, logic, and the like were all excellent. Only literature was merely good, yet he was not even given an interview opportunity! How am I supposed to believe the admissions process was fair?"
Since French university graduates could currently apply directly for doctoral programs, Joseph's doctoral admissions model resembled the graduate entrance examinations of later generations: first came assessments in foundational subjects, then interviews with advisors, followed by the students' reverse selection of advisors.
But the first doctoral admissions reform had been rushed. The University of Paris had not yet separated admissions by academy, so applicants in every field had to take the same preliminary examination and pass before choosing a direction.
Campa made a patient gesture. "You know that after this admissions reform, an enormous number of people applied, while the academy's doctoral slots increased by only six. The competition was simply too fierce. I can assure you that those who received interviews were truly outstanding."
Thénard looked around the hall in disbelief. "The Academy of Sciences has eighteen doctoral slots this year. Are you saying... eighteen people were better than me?" As one of France's rising young talents, he had