Are College Admissions Advantages Fair?

By: Erica Liu

Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual battle starting in August is marked by destruction, displacement of communities, and long-lasting societal, economic, and emotional scars. Seven million young men and women grapple with the high levels of competition, besieged by doubts and uncertainty, yet motivated by dreams of a brighter future. This war is commonly known as the college application process. Highschoolers around the world arm themselves with transcripts, test scores, and carefully crafted personal essays. All fight hard for the limited seats at top institutions; for many, it’s a pivotal gateway to a better social standing. Though every student faces the relentless onslaught of deadlines, exams, and a common disease known as senioritis, many face even more obstacles, whether it’s economically, socially, or even racially. According to “By the Numbers”, in 2021, 12.3-percent of the United States population was made up of Black Americans, which is roughly around 41 million people. Yet even with such a large number of people, only .21-percent of the black population are physicians and .17-percent are lawyers. The question is whether applicants from minority communities are systematically at a disadvantage or not. Proponents of the idea that minorities are at a disadvantage in college admissions reason that the obstacles come from admission boosts for rich, white applicants. These advantages are commonly known as ALDC, which stands for athletic recruitment, legacy preference, dean’s interest list, and children of faculty and staff. On the other hand, opponents assert that every applicant has a fair shot at admissions and that no student is systematically discriminated against. The debates have become increasingly heated after the Supreme Court case striking down Affirmative Action, as many believe that other admissions advantages like legacy preferences should go too. Should there be benefits to marginalized groups to level the playing field? Are minorities at a disadvantage in the admissions process? The question is up for interpretation.