According to researchers, about 15% of freshmen admitted to America's highly selective colleges are wealthy teens who failed to meet the insitution's minimum requirements..
"Any admissions director who uses the line about needing an oboe player is lying. Theres no admissions person in the country with a clue what the student orchestra needs. More likely, Mommy and Daddy gave a $1 million donation. That oboe thing is just a PR ploy." - Current Admissions Officer, Ivy League University
The American model is supposed to promote social mobility, not an inherited aristocracy. College admissions is a zero-sum game. For every C-student rich kid who gets into Harvard, there's a far more qualified middle-class kid who gets stuck with his safety school.
At the most selective private universities across the country, more fathers of freshmen are doctors than are hourly workers, teachers, clergy members, farmers or members of the military combined.
Peter Schmidt, a deputy editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education, says that if you want to find the largest group of kids getting into America's top colleges without making the grades, you shouldn't be looking at students admitted through affirmative action. While some are athletes, a larger number are "students who gained admission through their ties to people the institution wanted to keep happy, with alumni, donors, faculty members, administrators, and politicians topping the list."
I can honestly say from experience that this is not going away.....what do you think about this?
1. Are they making money seem more important than hard work and academic achievements?
2. Do you think a private university should have the right to do whatever it wants with admissions? Or should it be different?
-- Edited by DaisyVo1212 on Friday 27th of March 2009 03:11:10 AM
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"nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful"
Private Universities are just like private High Schools in that they can virtually do whatever they want, which is WHY they can charge outrageous amounts for Tuition alone. It's pretty obvious that they'll keep you if you can pay consistantly, and if not then you're done. It sucks, but only so many people can be admitted, and if you have to borrow or get money[via grants/scholarships- anything not out of pocket], then you're less of a commodity than those who are a little under par academically; if that makes sense.
someone told me once..."why bother taking AP and stuff when elite kids win?? "
it isnt fair, but thats how its always been....personally i think if a college is private, they have the right to do wat they want with admissions...
its not fair, but it does bring money into the insitutions for research labs and stuff...so in a way it does help
what do u guys think??
I think this is how the world is.. you cant change it at this point. It has been and always will be governed by who has the bigest stick. As unfair as it is well, thats life..
it isn't fair, but that's how it works. parents give $$$ donations to the school & in return the child gets to attend the school.
it sucks how the whole thing works. but hey if the school gets something GREAT, & if there is a willing parent who wants to donate money why wouldn't the school let the students in?
i think that it should be based on hard work and grades.. not the donations that mommy and daddy are willing to give.. eventually kids striving to go to these schools will soon give up because they arent going to be given an equal opportunity. thats so sad
Yes, these universities are making money seem more important but it's not like they're denying qualified kids. There are plenty of kids that get into prestigious schools through hard work. If only 15% being led in, that means the other 85% is earning their way.
Money is power, and those with a lot of it get more privileges and leeway then those who don't. That's always how it's been but America is much better than most countries in giving everyone an equal opportunity. The poor don't have to die poor. (Not saying money is everything of course)
And yes a private school should be allowed to do what they want within reasonable bounds. That is the reason they are private. Until they start receiving funds from the government (becoming public) they are allowed to set the bar. But even if a student is accepted (through their parents) doesn't mean he'll graduate.
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"Your distress about life might mean you have been living for the wrong reason, not that you have no reason for living." Tom O' Connor
Its the way it works with private universities like Karen said. Plus they have traditions and going to alter their traditions for the common folk. I know if I were in their position I wouldn't. I toiled through AP US History, not necessarily the hardest class ever, but a class I worked hard in everyday. I'm struggling through AP ECON but I take more pride in myself when I past those classes. It doesn't bum me out a private university won't accept me (not that I bothered applying) because I don't want to be paying student loans till I'm 40.
i agree with jason, they do have legacies and traditions to maintain, and some of them don't want to make alumnis and donors mad so they take the kid, if that kids fails out...too bad. The school has nothiing to lose, they will continue to keep the doors open for people who make donations because that's how they're funded....through private donations and stuff, they don't recieve money from the government...so its like theyr loooking for a way to get more. It's not fair but its true and money does rule the earth. Greed is a disease, but there are people who would take advantage of other people's greediness to get whatever they want. That's why its so much easier to get into a private college if your mom and dad have money.
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"nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful"
i agree with jason, they do have legacies and traditions to maintain, and some of them don't want to make alumnis and donors mad so they take the kid, if that kids fails out...too bad. The school has nothiing to lose, they will continue to keep the doors open for people who make donations because that's how they're funded....through private donations and stuff, they don't recieve money from the government...so its like theyr loooking for a way to get more. It's not fair but its true and money does rule the earth. Greed is a disease, but there are people who would take advantage of other people's greediness to get whatever they want. That's why its so much easier to get into a private college if your mom and dad have money.
In a "6-degrees" sort of way, the parents have a lot of money because [more often than not] they went to good, expensive universities. So it's like continuing that legacy as well.
so whack. the way the system works is purely poop club status. thats why the University of Spoiled Children has such an amazing football team. they have to buy their athletes unlike UCLA, the true radness of college football(cherish this, because i'll probably never bring up any type of competitive sport in conversation again.) its upsetting that money has become what it has. i mean, you cant live without money, but when it's being used as a tool i think that people need to re-organize their priorities. i dont see money as an object. its worthless green paper in my eyes. what ever happened to hard work and determination and having that feeling of accomplishment knowing you worked your @$$ off to get into a good school? this is just, "o yeah, daddy has a connection with the admissions director, so i can go to harvard and now me and my parents can just smile and pretend that i'm a qualified, hard working, diligent genius." money rules and its evil. it's things like this that make me want to pursue a true bohemian lifestyle and live without any possessions or money at all. now that i'm delved into this tangent, i think i'm just talking about the way money makes people in general.
Alex Supertramp! longest post ever by John? haha, UCLA buys their athletes too, trust me. They screw mid-major schools from the chance of landing recruits who could start because they'll become the Third String Weak Side Linebacker for 5 years.
I'm thoroughly convinced that everyone thinks that money is the only factor. Granted it's a huge factor, as well as having "connections," HOWEVER the universities wouldn't even CONSIDER the request of the alum without looking at the application first. So Yes, most ARE qualified, but as competition is so fierce with private universities, money gives you the upper hand.
Alex Supertramp! longest post ever by John? haha, UCLA buys their athletes too, trust me. They screw mid-major schools from the chance of landing recruits who could start because they'll become the Third String Weak Side Linebacker for 5 years.
ya jason your right. screw sports in general, i guess
i agree with jason, they do have legacies and traditions to maintain, and some of them don't want to make alumnis and donors mad so they take the kid, if that kids fails out...too bad. The school has nothiing to lose, they will continue to keep the doors open for people who make donations because that's how they're funded....through private donations and stuff, they don't recieve money from the government...so its like theyr loooking for a way to get more. It's not fair but its true and money does rule the earth. Greed is a disease, but there are people who would take advantage of other people's greediness to get whatever they want. That's why its so much easier to get into a private college if your mom and dad have money.
In a "6-degrees" sort of way, the parents have a lot of money because [more often than not] they went to good, expensive universities. So it's like continuing that legacy as well.
true...and some universities give priorities to children of donors and alumnis as well,
i have a relative who got into yale with barely a 3.0 gpa...but his step dad donated something, i dont remember what they said it was, but his kid got in. he left after a semester. it used to not bother me, but now it's starting to...cuz those schools are way too competitive to be accepting kids who don't meet the minimum requirements...they just want the donations...
so colleges are hurting people by doing this....cuz some students who get in thorugh donations won't be able to compete with others who's earned it.
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"nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful"
Are they making money seem more important than hard work and academic achievements? yes "they" are making money seem more important then hard work and grades. it really is a sad thing. connections do really help and the more people you do know the more benefits it seems you get when it comes to wanting something. its how business works...kinda like polotics. its seen in small situations and big ones like this whole university/private school sinerio. you cant really avoid it tho, the world has just adapted to it. but someones gotta make up the population in these schools off academics alone so keep working hard:)
2. Do you think a private university should have the right to do whatever it wants with admissions? Or should it be different? a private university can do whatever they want, its there own thing not paid for by the goverment. they money has go to come from somewhere so why non it be from your rich highschool buddies, 2nd cousins, sisters, daughter? --> rather then from a qualified scholar.
i agree with johnn. re organize priorities and stop pretending. call of the wild.
Are they making money seem more important than hard work and academic achievements? yes "they" are making money seem more important then hard work and grades. it really is a sad thing. connections do really help and the more people you do know the more benefits it seems you get when it comes to wanting something. its how business works...kinda like polotics. its seen in small situations and big ones like this whole university/private school sinerio. you cant really avoid it tho, the world has just adapted to it. but someones gotta make up the population in these schools off academics alone so keep working hard:)
2. Do you think a private university should have the right to do whatever it wants with admissions? Or should it be different? a private university can do whatever they want, its there own thing not paid for by the goverment. they money has go to come from somewhere so why non it be from your rich highschool buddies, 2nd cousins, sisters, daughter? --> rather then from a qualified scholar.
i agree with johnn. re organize priorities and stop pretending. call of the wild.
"Daily I stay silent, thinking thoughts at lightening speed Heightened by the feedback and forth reciprocation Believe I'm well connected Not a prophet who's been resurrected Trust and I expect it " - Zion I & The Grouch
I'm thoroughly convinced that everyone thinks that money is the only factor. Granted it's a huge factor, as well as having "connections," HOWEVER the universities wouldn't even CONSIDER the request of the alum without looking at the application first. So Yes, most ARE qualified, but as competition is so fierce with private universities, money gives you the upper hand.
yeah thats true too, but regardless, they get the upper hand...and it actually hurts the kid, its great to get a brand name education, but to fail out is embarrassing, im not saying all of them do, but most of the ones who leave are people who got help, isn't that kind of right??
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"nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful"
I think it's completely unfair that an otherwise unqualified student can get in just becuase they have rich parents. And what's the point if they end up dropping out anyway because they can't take the pressure? Someone who is qualified should have the right to get in because they are more willing to work hard and bring something new to the school. It's all greedyness.
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monica vellanoweth v(o_o)v
"First you take the grahm. You put the chocolate on the grahm. Then you roast a mallow. When the mallows' flammin', you stick it on the chocolate. Then you top with the other side."
