American Colleges Are Building a New Elite
On paper, he should have been the dream candidate. IQ over 145. SAT score of 1580. Valedictorian. Varsity athlete. Student-government leader. Dozens of AP classes. In a more rational time,…
Posts tagged with
“academic merit”
Feds Tell Med Schools to Stop Discriminating
On February 14, the Department of Education officially notified educational institutions receiving federal funding that they must cease race-based practices—including admissions, hiring, promotion, scholarships, administrative support, discipline, and sanctions. The…
Yet Another Bad Admissions Idea
Leigh made a 34 on the ACT. Bill made a 23. Which of the two do you want attending your academically selective college? According to a traditional or merit-based admissions…
The Collegiate War Against Merit
A story in Inside Higher Ed last week revealed that two more Ivy League schools, Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania, have stopped publishing “dean’s lists” that recognize high levels…
Only Candidates of Color Need Apply?
Five finalists are selected by a hiring committee for a tenure-track faculty position at a reputable regional university. The candidates are ranked based on skills and competencies. The top applicant…
What Happens When Schools Abandon Merit?
America’s educational institutions used to adhere to objective standards of excellence. Students and faculty members had to strive and were rewarded (or not) according to their performance. What their background…
How Short-term Thinking on Race Has Caused Long-term Problems in Higher Education
Editor’s note: This essay is based on a talk given by Gail Heriot on October 29, 2021, for the Martin Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ladies and gentlemen, if you’re…
“We Cannot Fight Fire with Fire”: Efforts to Ban Race-Based College Admissions
Currently, nine states prohibit colleges and universities from practicing race-conscious admissions. That number may soon become ten if a new bill in the North Carolina legislature is successfully adopted. Public…
The Limits of Free-Speech Dogma: Questioning Decades-Old Conservative Wisdom
“My most ‘illiberal’ claim is that all societies necessarily have standards. Even the freest of speech regimes has limits.” This is the claim of Michael Knowles in Speechless: Controlling Words,…
Did You Know? The Negative Effects of Racial Preferences on Minority Students
Racial preferences in university admissions aim to increase the representation of minorities in higher education. Some, however, have objected to these policies and argue students should be admitted based on…