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Obsessing Over Elite College Admissions Is the Opposite of Progressive

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Summary

This article examines the obsession with elite college admissions in the United States and its effects on the educational system. It points out that while only 4.1% of students attend these highly selective universities, they are disproportionately white and wealthy and represent the single entry point into the American ruling class. The author argues that the focus of progressive politics should be on the 570 out of every thousand graduating seniors who never enroll in a four-year university, rather than on the 18 who do. He compares the situation in the United States to that in Canada and Europe, where the best universities are not seen as a "golden ticket" and failure to secure an elite place does not blight one's prospects. He concludes that obsessing over who gets into the elite universities is not left-wing politics, and that the left should focus on championing the needs of people who are not near elite status.

Q&As

What percentage of U.S. graduating high school students enroll in a four-year college program?
430 out of every thousand graduating high school seniors will enroll in a four-year college program.

What proportion of students at top elite schools are black or Latino?
Around 21% of students at the top elite schools are black or Latino.

How has the debate around college admissions and affirmative action changed since the US Supreme Court ruling?
The debate around college admissions and affirmative action has become focused on a small group of black and Latino high achievers who may not have achieved quite highly enough to win a spot at a highly selective university without affirmative action.

What is the Gini coefficient of income inequality in the United States?
The Gini coefficient of income inequality in the United States is 0.375.

How does the importance of college admissions vary between the US and other countries?
In other countries, the best universities are still better than the worst ones, but the stakes of college admissions are much lower. Failure to secure an elite place does not blight one's prospects in the same way as it would in the United States.

AI Comments

👍 Francisco Toro's article is an insightful look into the inequalities that exist in the American college admissions process. His analysis of the dynamics of this system is insightful and thought-provoking.

👎 Francisco Toro's article presents a pessimistic view of the American college admissions process. He fails to offer any solutions that could bring about positive change.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about the implications of the obsession over elite college admissions and how it's a symptom of a dangerously unequal society. The author talks about how the debate isn't even about the 430 of every thousand graduating seniors who will enroll in a 4-year college program, but rather the tiny handful who manage to get a coveted place at a highly selective university.

Friend: That's really interesting. It reminds me of how so many people are focused on the idea of getting into Ivy League schools and other top universities, instead of focusing on the bigger picture.

Friend: Yeah, it's really concerning. The article points out that this obsession with elite college admissions is a symptom of a dangerously unequal society, and that the left should be focusing more on the 982 out of every thousand graduating seniors who never enroll in a 4-year university in the first place. We should be advocating for those who are systemically excluded from the top spots in society.

Action items

Research and learn more about the current state of college admissions in the United States and the impact of income inequality on the process.
Reach out to local high schools and community organizations to discuss ways to support students who are not able to attend a four-year college.
Advocate for policies that prioritize the needs of students from low-income backgrounds and communities of color in college admissions.

Technical terms

Gini Coefficient: A measure of income inequality, where a lower score represents a smaller gap between rich and poor.
Affirmative Action: A policy or program designed to redress past discrimination against certain groups, such as women and minorities, by providing them with preferential treatment in areas such as education and employment.
Elite College Admissions: The process of applying to and being accepted into a highly selective college or university.
Ruling Class: A group of people who have the most power and influence in a society.
Highly Selective Universities: Universities that admit only a small percentage of applicants.
Socio-Economic Results: The outcomes of a person's economic and social status.
Holy Grail: A goal or object that is sought after with great determination.
Arms Race: A competition between two or more parties to be the first to develop or acquire a particular item or capability.