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There simply isn't enough space, and at the highest tiers, it becomes a crapshoot... ...to which the rich bring weighted dice.

• jonnathanson 16y ago
  Interestingly, I would argue that we've got two oppositional forces at play in today's admissions game: 1) Seldom before in recent American history has it been easier for a well-qualified, but SES-disadvantaged student to gain admission to Harvard. 2) Seldom before in recent American history has it been harder for an SES-disadvantated student to become well-qualified to gain admission to Harvard. Once you've reached the admissions gates, so to speak, your merit is a better calling card today than it ever has been. But getting there is becoming tougher and tougher, thanks to a chronically deteriorating public education system and increasingly costly college-preparatory mechanisms. It is commonly assumed that the rich receive advantages at the gate. Rather, they've been receiving advantages throughout their lives that increase their likelihood of getting to the gate in the first place. It's a subtle, but important distinction.
  • gammarator 16y ago
    1) Right. Harvard is effectively free for families making <$60k/year (http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do)