Affe

Will it matter for "programming job skills"? No. But there are things you may decide you want to do in the next 60 or so years where not having a 4 year credential will be a problem. Work in regulated industry/for gov't contractor? Work internationally? Go back for a graduate degree or MBA? If you're close, finish.

No problem for travel, but do note there is a 'sporty casual' style in the west that women can pull off in a much broader range of settings than men can get away with sweatpants. (A workplace where women wear "yoga pants" style leggings does not mean men would get away with sweats. A golf outfit would be a better comparison than a sweatsuit for similar level of "casualness".)

this is the better way for the larger system!

One should also consider athletes in the types of programs you're talking about also have access to extensive alumni networks that will make sure they have a j-o-b if needed.

'Desperate enough' can also mean the job is so awesome that people are desperate enough to get it that they'll participate. Not necessarily desperate in the sense of out of work and running out of money, struggling to fine work, etc. It's up to the company to decide if their jobs seem that awesome to the right audience...! ;)

Outside certain tech bubbles on the west coast of the US, companies realize the only people who will put up with burdensome interview shenanigans are people desperate enough to put up with burdensome interview shenanigans. Would you want to pre-filter your candidate pool for desperate people?

It seems that your screening system is highly effective at quickly identifying people you don't want to hire. What's the problem?

@Dunk generally in inspection states all factory installed equipment must work. It happens in non-inspection states to not have airbags recharged or underlying structural deformity repaired after minor collisions. People with no airbags and damaged crumple zones are certainly driving around at greater risk, potentially with unaware or unable to consent passengers (or may not even know themselves if came from a shady seller.) Why it should be legal to drive '73 pinto but not 2013 Corolla with depleted airbag is a question of liberty that drives opposition to inspection!