<p>^ I think it a normal in our society to ask “How did s/he get there?” The question can be flattering. It can be envious. And sometimes it can be contemptuous. If “born with a silver spoon in his mouth” and “Boss’ Son-in-lawl” resonate with some, it’s not surprising that “here thanks to AA” would resonate also. These views may not be fair, accurate or pertinent … but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.</p>
<p>Really, AA is racist. It assumes that minorities need extra help to succeed. My black doctor prominently displayed his med school honors in order to combat the AA stigma.</p>
<p>^ I think it more accurate to say “It assumes society is better off when higher education includes students from all segments of society.”</p>
<p>Would AA exist today if it hadn’t been overturned in Hopwood?</p>
<p>Racists are going to be racist. People who don’t like to see black people in positions of power and responsibility will grab on to whatever is handy to justify their feelings. Before AA, racist people didn’t have any trouble coming up with reasons not to trust black doctors, or vote for black politicians, or attend school with black students. If AA goes away, they still won’t have any trouble coming up with reasons.</p>
<p>If I may quote some hip-hop wisdom, haters gonna hate.</p>
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<p>Higher education does already have students from all segments of society. The dispute now is over what percentage of each segment needs to be present, because it’s a zero-sum game.</p>
<p>^ Surely you don’t mean that higher education is a zero-sum game.</p>
<p>^^ In your opinion … and WITHOUT using quotas, which are illegal … what percentage of each segment does need to be present?</p>
<p>Whatever the decision, it’s likely we’ll know next week. SCOTUS Blog has just posted on Twitter that the court is going to issue opinions on both Monday and Thursday next week.</p>
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<p>I dont think the racial demographics of the school should be FORCED to mirror the racial demographics of the state or country, any more than racial demographics of NBA should be FORCED to mirror the racial demographics of the state or country. </p>
<p>The percentage of each segment present should be reflective of that segments interest & preparation to be admitted to the school. The reality is that different demographic groups place emphasis on different paths-- I have not heard of any mention of Tiger Mom outside the context Asian families. Nor have I heard any of my Asian acquaintances advocate an athletic career for their kids.</p>
<p>The 10% Plan (or whatever percentage it actually is now) succeeds in targeting the students who demonstrate academic interest & preparation, irrespective of the academic rigor of the school. I like the percentage plan in that it is transparent and color blind, and I heartily support its continued use. It gives a leg up to smart & motivated kids from low SES schools.</p>
<p>Kayf,
I have seen employers, especially for first jobs and internships ask for GPA’s. That should alleviate concerns about anyone’s qualifications.</p>
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<p>Texas resident here, and I disagree. Texas has numerous rigorous private prep schools (St. Marks, Hockaday, St. Johns, Greenhill, Kinkaid, FWCD, Trinity Valley, and St. Mary’s Hall just to name a few.) There are also phenomenal public schools here (Southlake, the Woodlands, Alamo Heights, Highland Park, etc.). Many of the students at these schools have dreamt of attending UT since they were very young. Their parents and grandparents have often attended, and UT is a family tradition. I’ve seen students at some of these schools have 10 APs, 2220+ on their SATs, 3.8UW GPAs, and great ECs out the wazoo. Because they’ve fallen just outside of the top 8% at their uber-compatible school, they’re often capped or denied admission and are crushed. OTOH, kids at many inner-city or rural schools with 1-2 APs, 1400 (2400 scale) SAT scores, and 3.4+ GPAs gain automatic acceptance by virtue of being in the top 8% of their less than challenging environment. The state implemented the top 10% in an effort to achieve diversity. Most UT professors I know have been opposed to it because they say there are too many students whose backgrounds have not sufficiently prepared them for the rigors of UT; in a sense, the system is designed to build some of the students up by accepting them only to tear them down because they can’t handle it. Personally, I think it’s cruel and feel TX should adopt the admissions model of some of the other reputable publics.</p>
<p>As I understand it, University of Texas at Austin has a first-year retention rate just 1% lower than that of Rice. Sounds to me like it’s working just fine.</p>
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<p>The Yeti, the second gunman on the grassy knoll and the broken hearted student who can’t get into the state flagship. Which one is the bigger myth? I’d go with the student. Folklore tells the tale, but the facts just doesn’t back it up.</p>
<p>Well, sosomenza, my nephew, who graduated from high school tonight, is definitely “the broken hearted student who can’t get into the state flagship.” He was born with orange blood. His grandfather started taking him to UT games before he got into elementary school. In person, he saw the Longhorns win the national football championship. He dreamed of majoring in business and playing in the band. He was one of the best high school trumpet players in the state. But he wasn’t ranked high enough and he didn’t get accepted. He appealed but was rejected. “Crushed” is not even strong enough to describe how he feels.</p>
<p>@jc40, how does the median family income in the communities with the oustanding public schools, compare with the median family income in the communities w the poorly performing schools? Can poor families afford to live in the Woodlands and get to work w/o a car.</p>
<p>The kids from the outstanding schools, who miss the percentage cutoff, can still be considered for admission under the holistic scheme-- those kids are all in essence, Abigail Fishers. Those kids deserve to have their credentials reviewed fairly using color-blind criteria.</p>
<p>MaineLonghorn, the same thing happened to a friend of ours. She was literally ONE student away from being in the top 8%. Hopes dashed. She’s at UT in San Antonio now, and she’s making the best of it, but it is certainly not what she wanted or dreamed of all her life. ONE student away.</p>
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<p>Did he fall just outside the top 8%, with a record approaching something like “10 APs, 2220+ on their SATs, 3.8UW GPAs, and great ECs out the wazoo?” That’s the kind of myth (or reality?) we’re discussing.</p>
<p>GMT, nobody in Texas gets to work without a car! LOL. OK, that’s a stretch…but seriously, even the poor have cars here. It’s pretty much a necessity. Especially in Houston. Public transit is TERRIBLE, and walking or biking is impossible in most places.</p>
<p>MisterK, my friend was close to that. she was just outside the 8% with MANY APs and Dual classes totaling well over 30 hours, a 3.65 gpa, and a strong SAT (honestly not certain about score, but I know it was over 2100), and she had super strong ECs and lots of volunteer hours.</p>
<p>cromette (or anyone else) - it would be interesting to know specifics regarding some high quality students who were rejected. Without real stats, we’re guessing a bit. The students described by jc40 are in a fairly high class, and it’s difficult to believe that many students like that are being rejected in-state at UT.</p>