Alienation and academia

Though it has scant chance of political survival, Sen. Ted Kennedy's (D-Mass.) proposed bill that would penalize universities that, among other things, use early decision admissions processes highlights the preeminent challenges to parity in higher education. Educational policy debate typically entices arguments about public kindergarten, school vultures, and charter schools, but issues surrounding fairness in the acceptance procedures of elite American universities, besides affirmative action, are rarely discussed.

Early decision is instrumental in the continued domination of this country's top universities by institutionally and historically privileged elites. This admissions process typically attracts applicants with access to counselors who can advise them on the college admissions process and the advantages of applying early. Moreover, many students who know about the process but require financial aid decide against applying early because of concerns that they will not receive enough assistance. This is especially true at schools such as Tufts, which charge a very high price tag and have relatively limited resources for aid.

But early decision is not going to go away; the practice benefits universities too much for them to abandon it. By extending binding offers of admission, universities can increase their yield -- the percentage of admitted students who actually attend -- and thus improve their external reputation. The practice also allows admissions officers to select applicants not only on the basis of what they might contribute to the school, but also their commitment to the school.

In an era when universities are ranked by the media and dependent on alumni dollars, the reasons for early decision are legitimate, and it would be wrong of the government to require that universities abandon the practice altogether. Universities, however, should take the initiative to reform the process and reduce disparities in higher education. Allowing students to decline early offers of admission because of legitimate financial concerns is one option that would mitigate the negative effects of early decision.

While Sen. Kennedy's bill should not succeed, hopefully it will incite meaningful discussion about the accessibility of America's institutions of higher education.