Should race be a factor in college admissions policies?
 

Recently I stumbled across an interesting article alleging racial discrimination in the college admissions process at many schools.

It seems American students of Asian heritage believe they're being treated unfairly. Some have resorted to declining to identify their race on applications, while others of mixed race are checking the box for their non-Asian heritage in hopes of beating the system.

It appears that because there are so many high-performing Asian students, college admissions officers -- in an attempt to increase student diversity -- are passing over some in favor of less-academically-qualified white, black, Hispanic and Native American/Pacific Islander students.

From the article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/1...n_1128037.html

People opposed to race-based admissions decisions generally argue that it means some high-performing students don't get a fair shake.

Those in favor of racial quotes usually argue that diversity is important, and point out that colleges often use other non-academic criteria, such as reserving berths for children of alumni and for talented student athletes.

What do you think? Should admissions be color-blind, even if it means students of some backgrounds will be overrepresented?

I think that we as a society will become colorblind only when the little box identifying our race disappears from all documents.

I do think diversity is important....but I also think that race shouldn't be a factor. However....in order for that to be effective, the name would have to be blacked out on the applications, with only a number given to identify the students. Otherwise, names are often a sure fire tip-off to race.

I think that if it were based solely on academic performance, with no cheating on the part of school officials(!) the diversity part would take care of itself.

Are schools in the business of teaching, or building their own little UN? A student's race has nothing to do with education. Affirmative actions policies have inadvertantly put an onus on high performing non-asian minority graduates, as they are perceived by business to have gotten their degree by default rather than earning it.

If Asians score higher, and carry a higher GPA than others it's because the value of education was inculcated into their upbringing. Other races, not so much, some races, not at all. Obviously, these are generalizations, there are exceptions to every rule, but overall I believe the above is rather obvious.

There shouldn't even be a space marked "race" on the applications

On a side note, my wife was filling out a job application and under "gender" there were 3 choices

1 Male
2 Female
3 Unknown

I usually check African-American and Native American on official forms. Who's going to tell me I'm not?

Reminds me of the time I filled out a form to rent videos... there was a space on it that said "sex"... In small letters below it I wrote "twice a day, but why do you ask?". The look on the clerks face as she read it was priceless!

Nice! That's very encouraging. I hope this becomes more common in the future.

Like others have stated, I don't believe race should even be on forms, nor gender. It shouldn't matter as long as the person qualifies or passes the entrance exams.

Any body that uses race in determine who well get the position is saying that race is not as good as the rest of the applicants.

Ditto that.

Simple answer = No.

Couple of years back we had this question(in fancy words) on the ballot. We voted the same as this poll states. The "powers that be" came out and said that we didn't understand the question. Ya, we were too stupid to understand racism.

My DD uses Race as far as College and Jobs.No I don't believe it is right.

big rockpile

I agree with the poster that said race should be removed from all government and public documents. Private companies while they shouldn't ask who am I to tell a private business owner what they should or should not do.

I think this really should also apply to sex too.

What does color of ones skin have to do with education? If you pass the entrance exams, you should be able to attend..

I seem to recall the only color I ever cared about was camouflage, since it meant that another soldier was covering my back and I was covering theirs.. Skin color made no difference..

Since we all bleed red!

Now if we have to serve with aliens (from space) and they bleed blue or green, then I might have a problem with that.. But only till they prove their allegiance to "our" side.

But then again they may "taste like chicken" depending on their make up/ build/ design...

I'm for eliminating ALL preferences; gender, race etc.. in PUBLIC institutions. As far as Private institutions- they should be able to set their own standards for WHATEVER they want to.

Both public and private institutions/companies are just swinging to far the other way regarding discrimination. For instance, I was at a hospital with my wife for 4 days while she was there. Everyone was great, but the number of minorities employed at the hospital certainly didn't match the demograhics of the area. I'm not saying these people weren't qualified, they all seemed to do their job well. But why such a high number? I'm sure it was to balance the ills of the past when they were never hired, but when does that stop and we're all treated the same?

No, race should never be an issue.
Unfortunately there are those who will always keep racism in the front of the line, you know, for a "level playing field"
racism is alive and well in this country, it's very profitable both in money and votes.
Everyone should be evaluated on their own personal merit, their own desire to succeed, their own hard work, their own grades, but that's been eliminated from our society.

Why is diversity so important that colleges should be allowed to discreminate?
If businesses can not descriminate when hiring why should colleges be allowed to when people apply?

Cynical ol' me is kinda heartened by the replies ... :eek:

I'm pleasantly surprised that so many people support merit-based admissions, even if it might make things harder for their own kids, etc. (I'm assuming everyone who replied wasn't of Asian heritage.)

Hey alright! :thumb:

The question reminded me of this article by Malcolm Gladwell, which traces how the current admissions process developed at schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.

http://www.newyorker.com/archive/200...10crat_atlarge

In 1905 admission to Harvard became strictly merit based (College Entrance Exam Board scores), but within 15 years the number of Jewish students at elite schools had more than tripled. (Catholics were admitted in increasing numbers too).
Displacement of wealthy WASP boys was feared by administrators. The president of Harvard stated that too many Jews would destroy the school. This was the impetus for the modern college application form, with essays, letters of reference, and interviews. The intention was not to be more egalitarian, but to keep out "undesirables".

It would be interesting to see if returning to a strictly merit based system would lead to alarm and resentment if disproportionate enrollment went to Asians. My son was advised not to admit to being part Asian when he applied to college in order to improve his chances.

It's COLLEGE. Let the smartest people win!

A college is supposed to educate people. By making their choice who they educate by color instead of intelligence they are defeating their own purpose.
You don't see college basketball teams, football teams, or any other sport choosing for color in place of ability. Why is it right in one area and wrong in another area of the same college?

IMSNHO, there's only one reason why a college (or any other entity) should ask about race, and that's compiling statistics on demographics. Otherwise, no.

Race I never even saw a thing requesting race til I moved to the USA!! I think it should be based on merot with consideration given to a diverse mix including all finanacial brackets. Race should not be a factor

I think now I should answer the question with either:

1) "No, not any more. Getting too old and a little arthritic, but back in the day...."

2) "No, not any more. Got too many points on my license"

3) "No, but cousin Cletus down in Kingsport used to work the pit"