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Behind the Scenes of College Admissions

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Summary

This article discusses a recent study on the economic diversity of elite colleges and how their admission process disproportionately favors affluent students. It explains that although affluent students are disproportionately represented among the country’s best high school students, elite colleges are admitting more affluent students than their academic qualifications justify. The article also explores the reasons for this, including legacies, private high school polish, and recruited athletes. It then proposes that if elite colleges changed their approach, they could admit more middle-class and poor students with stronger academic credentials without sacrificing academic preparation.

Q&As

How does the study demonstrate that the country's most qualified high school students are disproportionately affluent?
The study demonstrates that the country's most qualified high school students are disproportionately affluent by showing that 7 percent of the country's very top students come from the top 1 percent of the income distribution.

What advantage do legacy students receive at elite colleges?
Legacy students at elite colleges receive an admissions boost, which means they are more likely to be admitted than non-legacy students with similar academic credentials.

How would changing college admissions policies for recruited athletes impact economic diversity?
Changing college admissions policies for recruited athletes would allow more middle-class and poor athletes (or non-athletes) with stronger academic credentials to be admitted.

What are the implications of the study for elite colleges revamping admissions policies?
The implications of the study for elite colleges revamping admissions policies is that they can become more economically diverse without sacrificing academic preparation.

What is the key point made by the researchers regarding achieving equity and excellence?
The key point made by the researchers regarding achieving equity and excellence is that elite colleges are not near the point of having to make a trade-off between the two, as they are admitting many more affluent students than their qualifications justify.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides a comprehensive and detailed look at the complexities of college admissions, and does an excellent job of laying out the various issues in an easy-to-understand way.

👎 This article fails to provide any concrete solutions for the inequities in college admissions, instead relying on vague rhetoric to make its points.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about college admissions and how elite colleges are not enrolling as many low- and middle-income students as they could. The article explains that wealthy students are more likely to be admitted and have better academic records than non-legacy students or those from public or Catholic schools. The article also talks about how elite colleges are admitting more affluent students than their qualifications would justify.

Friend: Wow, that's really interesting. It's concerning that wealthy students are more likely to be admitted, and that elite colleges are admitting them even if their qualifications don't justify it. This suggests that there's a certain level of privilege that comes with having money and that those without it are at a disadvantage.

Me: Yeah, it's definitely concerning. It's important to remember, though, that there are still plenty of standout students from modest backgrounds who could benefit from attending elite colleges. The article suggests that if colleges adjusted their admissions policies, they could become more economically diverse without sacrificing academic preparation.

Action items

Reach out to your local college admissions office to learn more about their policies and how they are working to increase economic diversity in their student body.
Research and support organizations that are working to increase access to higher education for low-income and middle-income students.
Advocate for policies that promote economic diversity in college admissions, such as affirmative action and need-based financial aid.

Technical terms

Admissions: The process of applying to and being accepted into a college or university.
Affirmative Action: A set of policies and practices designed to eliminate discrimination and increase the representation of historically underrepresented groups in education and employment.
Legacy: A student who is related to an alumnus of a college or university and is given preferential treatment in the admissions process.
Recruited Athletes: Students who are recruited by a college or university to join their sports team.
Private School: A school that is not funded by the government and is typically more expensive than public schools.
SAT: The Scholastic Aptitude Test, a standardized test used by colleges and universities to assess a student's academic readiness for college.
ACT: The American College Testing, a standardized test used by colleges and universities to assess a student's academic readiness for college.
Advanced Placement (AP): A program that offers college-level courses and exams to high school students.
Tax Returns: A form filed with the government that reports a person's income and taxes paid.
Cutting-Edge Research: Research that is at the forefront of a particular field.
Top 1 Percent: The wealthiest 1 percent of the population.
Trump Card: A powerful move or advantage that can be used to win a game or argument.
Polish: To make something look better or more attractive.
Stalemate: A situation in which neither side is able to win or make progress.
Turbulence: A state of instability or confusion.
Veto: The power to reject a proposed law or decision.
Supremacy: The state of being superior or dominant.
Pangram: A sentence or phrase that contains all the letters of the alphabet.