Early admissions reconsidered

In September 2006, Harvard University ended its early action admissions program, which allowed students to apply for admission before the normal cycle of applications, and gave them an increased chance of being admitted.

“Early admission programs tend to advantage the advantaged,” claimed Harvard interim president Derek Bok. The university explains that students at high schools without adequate resources will miss out on opportunities, students admitted early have less financial aid options, and students admitted under early programs have reason to work less during their senior years.

Soon after, Princeton University dropped its early decision program due to the same concerns. Whether or not Princeton’s decision was affected by Harvard’s move, a chain reaction may have been started that will end all early admissions.

Early admissions programs have been under criticism for some time, for increasing the stress of college admissions and putting underprivileged students at a disadvantage. Many students apply to prestigious universities in hope of getting in due to increased admittance rates.

A handful of former Albany High School students have gotten into schools such as Princeton and Stanford using early programs. With figures such as 50% of Princeton’s freshman class being admitted early, it is sometimes hard to escape the idea that the only way to get in is to apply under an early program.

Students, for the most part, agreed with the decision of these universities. Senior Adrian Lee, who applied to Stanford under their early action program, stood by their choice, even though he considered early action unfair.

“It’s fair since early admission isn’t fair anyway.”

Junior Tien Jiang said he won’t be applying early to colleges next year.

“It’s not fair for poor kids, who have to wait to see what colleges give them the best [financial aid],” he concluded.

2 Responses

1. 7:47 AM on December 13th, 2006deshawn freemen:

   Shoot i aint going to harvard i dont care

2. 2:40 PM on December 15th, 2006David Usher:

   Princeton’s early admissions rate is around 25%, not “50%”

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