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Was Harvard really the best college for the 39,506 students who applied there in 2017? Was Stanford the best school for its 44,073 applicants or UT Austin the best choice for its 51,000 applicants in that same year? I can say with a great deal of confidence that the answer to those questions is no. Our elite colleges have been able to hypnotize the general public the same way diamond suppliers have done. Think about it. What can you actually use a diamond for? They are incredibly hard and therefor can cut through most anything. When was the last time you needed to cut your way out of a reinforced enclosure? They can be fashioned to be pretty, but your average Joe couldn’t tell the difference from cheap costume jewelry. So, what is a practical use for that diamond ring, bracelet or necklace? Now, transfer that question over to our most attractive colleges. What will you have after four years at a diamond school that you can’t get at a glass school?
This comparison was made to insert a little common sense into the federal government’s investigation of college admissions. The extreme admissions measures that are viewed as unfair or malicious by many are a direct response to receiving 20 times the number of applications as there are spaces available at the university.
Let’s switch gears again. Consider the similarity of a college application to a vote in a political race. The more votes that are cast for a candidate, the better chance they will win. What if the candidate has done something the public believes is unfair or malicious? Why do you continue to vote for them if, in your opinion, they need to change their behavior? Just as in the world of politics; we, the general public, have created and maintain this broken college admissions system. Government investigations and the resulting regulations will only serve to add another level of difficulty to the already ridiculous hoops that college hopefuls must jump through.
Just like the situation with our elected officials, typical American families can fix this problem. Well placed votes and applications will result in better political representation and bring common sense back to the college application process.
