<p>lefthandofdog - they don’t have to give away their trade secrets but they could be more honest about what “holistic” admissions means to them. They could be more honest about weighting they give to different high schools or different socioeconomic levels. They could certainly be more honest about the “level of interest shown” category that clearly played a role this year (and is not necessarily available to everyone). They should not be marketing to groups of students with certain SATs via collegeboard data if they are really looking for something else, or purchasing enrollment management products, for example, to maximize their likely admits. If they do use enrollment management programs or algorithms to filter through the applicants they should reveal them. Why not? They won’t because if they revealed them, then they would not receive so many applications, and they would not appear to be so selective. It’s just not honest. Also, does every college have to meet high diversity standards? No slam on diversity because you are correct that most of us want our kids in a more diverse environment, but at what cost to the other equally or more qualified applicants is diversity a goal? And, is it an important goal for every single institution? I am just thinking about my own working class parents, my very poor school system and environment, being the first person in MY family to go to college, and how I was not offered a spot in college because we were poor. I think everyone deserves a level playing field, that is not what I mean, but I am not sure that admissions today is really about leveling the playing field. I am truly tired of hearing admissions departments list out the numerous diverse and international students they have acquired - as though the more diverse, the more accomplished the admissions office is. I am not sure, is that the only goal today? Also, when our government is saying that there aren’t enough U.S. trained engineers and our colleges are still accepting high numbers of international students for engineering - when do we ask our colleges to be somewhat more accountable or transparent? Please take this the way it was intended, just thinking outloud. I am not against diversity orinternational admissions - I came from immigrants, from working class parents and I know how hard it is to rise above a poor school system, a struggling family, a poor or disadvantaged environment. I just want to feel better that by both my husband and I working 35 years plus non-stop, giving up a lot of family time for my kids to have a better opportunity, it hasn’t been a bit of a joke on me. I would like to see more transparency and more accountability - it’s a huge cost to most families. I think we deserve better.</p>