<p>From AdOfficer on a different post:</p>
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Some things to think about... </p>
<p>Below is a posting I added to another thread in which an African-American student posted her stats after being admitted EA to Stanford and many started complaining about affirmative action. I think it can provide many of you with some insight here...and after reading many of the posts here in this thread, I have one more thing to add: be proud of who you are and your accomplishments!!!! Don't be modest about them! We want all different kinds of students: URMs, white kids, athletes, poets, musicians, rich and poor. And trust that many of us who work in admissions do know that you are all individuals and that's how we evaluate you and all that you do/have achieved!!! We know that stereotypes do not represent individuals. PLEASE, give us a little credit guys - many of us have attended the institutions you're freaking out about getting into and have graduate degrees! </p>
<p>I've read a lot of the posts on here, and it's become clear to me that many of you really do not understand affirmative action and how it works in college admissions or why we even have it in the first place. It really is not used in the way many of you think it is and as often as many of you think it is. This being said, it saddens me, really, to read some of the accusations/assumptions in some of these postings. I say this as someone who has worked at several "most selective" institutions. </p>
<p>In admissions committee and in reading files, we don't really "lower the bar" for "hooked" students - even legacies and athletes. Every student is evaluated based on the context within which they have achieved inside AND outside the classroom. That's what affirmative action protects - the right of different social institutions to include people who have been disadvantaged in different ways or who have achieved in different ways that could benefit the institution. Keep in mind that NO ONE is admitted to highly selective colleges if they can't do the work. Also keep in mind that, academically, the vast majority of students applying to highly selective institutions CAN DO THE WORK. Indeed, your 1450/2200+ SATs and 4.0+ GPAs are not that special in a national applicant pool at highly selective schools. And even if they were, it doesn't mean you'll add anything to the life of the particular campuses you're applying to in the eyes of the institution. We in the admissions office know what we're doing - trust us to make the right decisions!</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that not all elementary and high schools are created equal! If we all went to the same high school and received the exact same education and had the exact same access to extracurricular activities, SAT prep courses, etc..., it would be easy for me and my colleagues to admit those that "deserve" to be admitted...But we don't live in that world! Many students face prejudice, racism, and classism in their schools, a lack of a stable family life, a lack of good teachers or role models, etc..., and still share the same desire to learn as those who have not faced any of these things. Thus, we have to be as objective as possible in evaluating each student and their achievements. To do this, we have to consider the opportunities each student has - or has not - had and the obstacles they have faced in achieving what they have (or have not) achieved. To deny students access to elite institutions because they don't "measure up" in quantifiable ways like others who have been privileged is, well, unethical in my opinion and perpetuates the inequalities that exist in our culture. </p>
<p>A word about athletes...Keep in mind that the time and devotion it takes to be an athlete talented enough to compete at the collegiate level is huge - even in Division III. Why is it okay to put down a student who has this kind of talent and devotion but not one with, say, musical talent? Or artistic talent? Or a huge committment to community service? I'm not sure I understand how many of you can say with certainly (because many of you do) that college athletes are "weaker" than the average student at highly selective colleges. Perhaps they may have lower testing ON AVERAGE, or even lower GPAs, but considering they are able to achieve academically at places like the Ivies and still commit over 30 hours/week to practices, travel, and competitions is impressive. Many of you are underestimating these students - many of whom have extremely high SAT scores and grades (I've seen several recruited athletes this year with SATs over 1500/2250 and 4.0 GPAs) and other extracurricular involvements. Don't underestimate these students! Sure, there are exceptions to what I've just said, but in general, athletes need to make the grade or they aren't admitted or graduated. Same thing applies to legacies nowadays, too, although there are some institutions that will bend over backwards for these kids. </p>
<p>A final point - there are hundreds of good colleges and universities out there! Those of you who are bitter because you aren't admitted to Stanford or Harvard or Amherst or Brown or Hopkins but who view yourselves as "competitive" for admission to these schools should know that you can still probably get into over 95% of the 4-year colleges and universities in this country. If you truly can't find the right fit for you outside of the US News top 20, then you aren't doing your homework and are severely limiting yourself. What matters most is where you will be happiest academically, socially, activity-wise, etc..., not what sticker is on the back of your parents' car or what your peers think of the college you are attending. If you're happy there and can get all the opportunities you want, then that's all that should matter!
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