Should colleges consider race in their admissions?

Question

It is a big issue in my state (Washington) which has recently made it illegal. Even if they got rid of the race or ethnicity category altogether, a university would still probably choose a Jamal Brown or Jose Martinez over a John Chen or David Goldstein.

Does it give white and asian students an impression that they need to try harder? Does it give Latino and black student an impression that they don't need to try as hard? Or is it the best way of getting over socioeconomic issues that aren't changing and just giving the groups in a need an extra bump to ultimately equalize it, at least for their children (if your parents went to college, especially if your a minority).

Should it be just about test scores and grades? Do these scores show biases? Or is it more important for universities to admit based on diversity and experiences? What do you think? Because honestly I can't decide which.

Answer 1

in theory, all else being equal no, of course not.

but bearing in mind the circumstances outside college, and the historic and social patterns of your society, then yes.

Answer 2

No, they should not consider race. Neither should jobs.

But you are right, they do.

I don't agree with the bias argument about tests and grades. The black kids go to the same schools as the white kids and learn the same things. SAT and ACT scores are all about what is learned during school.

Think about it. If there is the college you are dying to get into and there are only a few spots left, but they have not accepted anyone of a certain race yet. Do you think your application should be thrown away because they already have too many of your race? Also with jobs, would you want your application threw out because your name looked like it was or wasn't a black name?

I don't agree with considering race. Doesn't it say on job applications that they do not hire based on race, religeon....? So then why do they hire blacks because they are blacks?

Answer 3

No. Do you think Grambling or Howard Universities would ever consider letting in a white person? Do you think National University for Latinos would let in an Asian? Doesn't that bother you? I think college admissions should be based on merit. It's funny how if a black student is chosen over a white student with equal credentials, nobody gets upset. Yet, when a white student gets chosen over a black student with equal credentials, it is considered to be racist. Sometimes it is based on community services and what committees you belong to.

Answer 4

I think they should do away with the race question. I think people should be assigned a number (no name) when applying to a college. That way the test scores and the student's abilities are taken into account and not the name or race.

It's not the total solution but it's a start.

Answer 5

Colleges should admit good students; period. And rather than focus on test scores, they should focus on high school performance as that is the best indicator of college performance.

Answer 6

As a Latino, I believe that credence should only be given to test scores and achievements.

Admissions can be done in the blind, with only a number for reference.

Answer 7

No I don't think that they should. Al people are alike and should be treated the same. When you go to apply to a college they should let you in on your grades and for who you are as a person not your color.

Answer 8

They should not. They should go by grades, test scores, and other activities they are involved in. Maybe they should just blank out the names and just go by Soc Sec numbers?

Answer 9

I think race shouldn't matter at all. I think good high school performance and grades are the things that should matter.

Answer 10

It should be 100% unbiased.