Somewhat related but anecdotal—there was so much analog gatekeeping during my EE degree it really turned me off of analog electronics design. Some professors acted like nobody was worthy and delighted in ridiculous trick problems on tests to weed everyone out. Many also had the favorite student syndrome that you mentioned where everyone but X was an imposter. The industry also seemed to not want anyone in analog and semi manufacturing anyway or had very high entry requirements, although kept complaining about a lack of candidates publicly. I bet it’s somewhat different today with the resurgence of modular synths and hobby electronics, but I can only imagine that it might make some professors double down on the hazing mentality. All that is to say, in some areas STEM educators have serious cultural issues to work out before just blasting away with funding expecting results.