A report just released by the Harvard Graduate School of Education is striking a chord with those concerned about the state of college admissions. The report, “Turning the Tide: Inspiring Concern for Others and the Common Good through College Admissions”, challenges the current emphasis on individual achievement and recommends a focus on both "ethical as well as intellectual engagement". It also attempts to redefine the measures of achievement to reduce excessive pressure. “The admissions process should clearly convey that what counts is whether students immersed themselves in an experience, and the emotional and ethical awareness and skills generated by that experience”. The report focuses
When I was area chairman for alumni admissions interviewing for Brown University, I often heard from people frustrated that highly talented students were being rejected. They asked “What does it take to get into a school like Brown?” A Brown admissions officer explained it this way: “Brown receives over 30,000 applications each year, many from students at the top of their class with near-perfect test scores and impressive leadership skills. We accept fewer than 10%, meaning we have to say no to many qualified candidates." [over 3,200 applicants for the Brown Class of 2018 scored a perfect 800 on the Math SAT, yet only 16% were accepted] "Our job in making admissions decisions is like puttin
In Part 1 I summarized Frank Bruni’s book "Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be". In this blog I'll offer my take on his assertions. I would restate the title of Bruni’s book as “What You Get Out is more important than Where You Get In”. Bottom line: an elite college doesn’t guarantee success, while a less-prestigious school doesn’t prevent it. Bruni's message is reassuring: college is what you make of it. Even if you don't get into the school of your dreams, all is not lost. If you work hard you can do well during and after college, no matter where your school is ranked by US News. I would add that this should not be used as an excuse to take the easy way out. Aim high, don't sell yourself sho
This recent book "Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be" by New York Times columnist Frank Bruni is subtitled “An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania”. His message is that the pressure-filled competition to get into elite colleges is misplaced, unhealthy and unnecessary. Bruni relates many anecdotal examples of people who were rejected from their first-choice colleges yet went on to successful careers. And he submits that this outcome was achieved not in spite of, but in fact because of, where they ended up. He suggests that it is often better to be a big fish in a smaller pond where you can thrive, rather than being overshadowed in a big pond. In the case of the college experience, Bruni p
The best-selling book “David and Goliath” by author Malcolm Gladwell is about the potential advantage of apparent disadvantages. In the title metaphor, was Goliath's size and skill in hand-to-hand combat an advantage or disadvantage vs. David's mobility and long-range weapon? When can perceived challenges work in your favor? It is also a promotion of the dynamic of “big fish/small pond”. Gladwell proposes that in choosing a college, it is often better to be a big fish in a small pond than the other way around. “Rarely do we stop and consider whether the most prestigious of institutions is always in our best interest”, he writes. “The Big Pond takes really bright students and demoralizes them
