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Staff Editorial: Does Greater Economic Diversity Require Lower Academic Standards?
Issue date: 3/2/06 Section: Opinions
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<p>Usually an elite education, by very definition of the word "elite," means education available to those who not only exhibit academic excellence, but to those who can afford it. However, Smith College's effort to change this generalization has been discredited by another generalization: the U.S News and World Report's national ranking of colleges. But the decision to de-emphasize SAT scores based on the correlation between higher scores and higher income has not, in any way, affected the quality of students accepted here. In fact, the U.S News and World Report makes another generalization in undermining the academic potential of such students because of their economic background. The recent drop in ranking is based solely on lower SAT scores, and does not reflect the rigorous workload or education received here.</p>
<p>Out of fairness to all Smith students who work hard for their education, regardless of economic background, something should be done so that Smith's ratings are as top-notch as the education here. The criteria required of such rankings ought to be changed. After all, the ratings are meant to show the level of education, not the economic background, of students at an institution. </p>
<p>The impact of national rankings are questionable when it comes to the individual, but overtime it has been shown that people consistently use it as a guide when applying to college. For international students, especially, it could have an impact on the number of applicants. So far, this number has not been affected, but over time there is always that possibility.</p>
<p>Instead, Smith College should be applauded, not demoted, for leading the way among respected institutions to open its doors to capable students from an economically diverse background. The class of 2009 has been cited as the most diverse class that Smith College has ever had, and their academic stats speak for themselves. Hopefully this will be an indicator to other colleges and universities that they should make an effort to help people of all incomes to attend. </p>
<p>Smith also, it should be noted, has the resources to do so, but most elite institutions do have a large endowment; there is no reason why others should not make high quality education more accessible to the general public. Lessening the impact that SATs have on a college application may seem like a radical approach, but Smith is well-grounded in its reasons. The Smith community has certainly reaped the rewards of having a more diverse student population and will continue to see its advantages both in the classroom and out. </p>
<p>If U.S News and World Report can recognize the economic diversity at Smith, they should also recognize that lower SAT scores does not mean that Smith has lowered its academic standards. It simply means that Smith has made room for higher diversity standards.</p>
<p>The Staff Editorial represents the collective views of the Editorial Board of the Smith College Sophian, not the views of the entire staff of the Sophian, nor the views of the administration, faculty, staff, or students of the College. Each week, the authorship of this column alternates between members of the Editorial Board.</p>