Andrew Delbanco, through the utilization of a variety of essays, conveys an underlining problem within the university system. Colleges are failing to provide an equal opportunity to students of disadvantageous upbringings. The elite campuses of America remain a stronghold for wealthy Americans, while erroneously proclaiming equality in regards to the application process. Qualified students are being left behind. The blame is not solely the universities, but can be attributed to the society we live in today.
The college admission process is complicated, often leaving students in a vague grey area in regards to top-flight school. The process is neither fair nor unfair to all students. Standardized tests, once thought to be the great academic equalizer, reveal the systems problems. Universities publish reports of the median scores of its accepted students. According to these scores, students can gauge their possibility of admission. The system rewards good scores. Good scores can be obtained by anyone, but not everyone. Wealthy students score higher due to the resources available to them, so elite schools are riddled with privileged students. Not to stay that they are not qualified, but a test score is not the only marker of intelligence and often discredits qualified students. Society is consumed with the importance of numbers. Whether test score, ethnic, or gender diversity colleges are expected to portray themselves as being a place of equality in regards to educations.
The removal of standardized testing, however, is not the solution to the growing class disparity. The intent of the test is to indicate natural ability, and give an opportunity to students from poor high schools.
I sympathize for the deans of admission. Applications struggle to convey the entire person, which makes the decision process difficult. I do not believe in any quick solution to this problem, and question where the middle class comes into this debate.
So many people are disgruntled over the current system, but it is what we have. Play the game.
