In today's New York Times, Ross Douthat writes about recent studies of admission practices at elite colleges. These studies show that lower-class whites aren't getting the fat envelope that promises a spot an elite school at the same rate as wealthy white kids.

For minority applicants, the lower a family’s socioeconomic position,
the more likely the student was to be admitted. For whites, though, it
was the reverse. An upper-middle-class white applicant was three times
more likely to be admitted than a lower-class white with similar
qualifications.

While affirmative action programs have helped lower income minority students, there aren't the same practices set in place to help lower income whites. In fact, wealthy white kids have an advantage over less wealthy white kids. Why? Legacies?

Continue reading “Affirmative Action for Snookie and “The Situation”” →