The Big Scary Truth About Who Gets Admitted

Posted by J. Catapano , Jul, 2009 @ 14:44

Lauren Starkey from The Examiner, well, examines who gets into college and why it happens in such a way. There are many, many factors that go into the admissions process that have absolutely nothing to do with a student’s merit or academic standing. I was pleased to read this article and find that it wasn’t all about affirmative action. Instead, Starkey discusses the gender biases that sneak into admissions offices. Colleges are very aware of what is called ‘Gender Balancing.’ As it stands, the majority of college students in the U.S. are female, and are usually far more qualified than their counterparts. The question is, however, why there has been a steady majority of women and not a steady increase. That is, Starkey argues, the problem with the gender balancing. Not only that, but geography is also taken into consideration when applying to a college. If you’re a dude from some hick town in Nebraska applying to Columbia University, you’ve got a pretty good chance of getting in as long as you pass some basic preliminary standards. It’s really a big problem in my mind, and I’m glad The Examiner is taking a look at it.

Tags: admissions, admissions office, admissions process, college admissions, females, gender balancing, gender wars, intelligence, Lauren Starkey, males, merit, qualifications, The Examiner