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This one is hard for me, as there is likely no way I’d have gotten into CMU if I didn’t schedule an interview, basically say it was my dream school, and apply e

This one is hard for me, as there is likely no way I’d have gotten into CMU if I didn’t schedule an interview, basically say it was my dream school, and apply early - all of which is clear and demonstratable interest. I wasn’t rich; I simply lived in Pittsburgh, and grew up indoctrinated that CMU was where the smart kids went. Like any elite school, CMU is very far-ranging and international w/r/t student body; it’s fair to assume that a disproportionate amount of students traveling to Pittsburgh to interview, tour, and attend pre-college are from above-average means. I get the logic. I also (anecdotally) know at least a dozen students at my time there who were wholly unqualified to be there save for their family’s ability’s to pay their tuition in full, cash. I have zero interest in litigating the value of diversity; if that had to be explained here then you’re too ideologically gone for either of our time spent to be useful. What I can say - and I suspect CMU agrees - is that education and opportunity is a great way to give underserved populations upward mobility, therefore minimizing outputs of family affluence and giving more opportunities to lower-income applicants will yield a higher overall impact. I’m sure they likely saw performance (and potentially even donor) differences between the two populations; it’s possible that the demonstrative interest population simply didn’t perform as well.

corpMaverick 8y ago
> family’s ability’s to pay their tuition in full, cash. There is an argument in favor of this. It lets the poor kids connect with the rich kid's network.
- arcaster 8y ago
  Shakes fist at rich people
forapurpose 8y ago
> This one is hard for me, as there is likely no way I’d have gotten into CMU if I didn’t schedule an interview, basically say it was my dream school, and apply early ... To generalize, what you are so honestly saying is something that often obstructs change: People with power are vested in the current system: They are the successful outcomes (the unsuccessful don't have power), so they believe in the system and instinctively don't want to undermine their self-image as deserving (i.e., that they didn't have an unfair advantage). They also don't want to undermine their own power, but that doesn't apply as much here. > I have zero interest in litigating the value of diversity; if that had to be explained here then you’re too ideologically gone for either of our time spent to be useful. The other side believes they can persuade people and have succeeded at an unexpected level. People and opinions change; look at views of women in college and the workforce; even your views on diversity (which I share) were probably unheard of a few generations ago, but people worked hard to change that. What will we bequeath on the next generation?

corpMaverick 8y ago

> family’s ability’s to pay their tuition in full, cash. There is an argument in favor of this. It lets the poor kids connect with the rich kid's network.

arcaster 8y ago
Shakes fist at rich people

forapurpose 8y ago

> This one is hard for me, as there is likely no way I’d have gotten into CMU if I didn’t schedule an interview, basically say it was my dream school, and apply early ... To generalize, what you are so honestly saying is something that often obstructs change: People with power are vested in the current system: They are the successful outcomes (the unsuccessful don't have power), so they believe in the system and instinctively don't want to undermine their self-image as deserving (i.e., that they didn't have an unfair advantage). They also don't want to undermine their own power, but that doesn't apply as much here. > I have zero interest in litigating the value of diversity; if that had to be explained here then you’re too ideologically gone for either of our time spent to be useful. The other side believes they can persuade people and have succeeded at an unexpected level. People and opinions change; look at views of women in college and the workforce; even your views on diversity (which I share) were probably unheard of a few generations ago, but people worked hard to change that. What will we bequeath on the next generation?