Affirmative Action—the consideration of race in college admissions—allows colleges to admit students based on their race to increase campus diversity, even if their academic standing is not as high as other students applying to the university. A common fallacy is that minorities are underrepresented in higher education, and while this may be historically accurate, there is a new group that is losing the benefits of higher education—lower class students. By extending more opportunities to these students, colleges can increase diversity on campus without considering race, and develop a wider range of backgrounds and experiences within their student body. It is time to end the affirmative action practice of taking race into the consideration of
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Current campus diversity programs do not take financial situation into consideration, thus ignoring economic diversity on campus. Although race has been historically disadvantaging for Americans, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation found that economic class has risen to the primary source of discrimination in today’s society (Camera). Because of this, Richard Kahlenberg—a senior fellow at the Century Foundation—believes it is wrong for colleges to give priority to students based on race, but offer no admission bonuses to low income students. A Georgetown study confirms Kahlenberg’s belief, finding that considering economic disadvantage could boost low income representation in higher education by 28%. In order to offer the best opportunities for students in the 21st century while maintaining complete diversity on campus, colleges and universities should shift from racial affirmative action to a system based on socioeconomic …show more content…
By providing admissions incentives to low income students with high academic achievements, colleges and universities can increase not only racial diversity on campus, but personal diversity as well. This diverse student body will positively contribute to the educational environment, while helping students of all demographics pursue an education and successful career. It is time to create a new admission standard based on economic status, to ensure equal opportunity for high achieving students regardless of
Current campus diversity programs do not take financial situation into consideration, thus ignoring economic diversity on campus. Although race has been historically disadvantaging for Americans, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation found that economic class has risen to the primary source of discrimination in today’s society (Camera). Because of this, Richard Kahlenberg—a senior fellow at the Century Foundation—believes it is wrong for colleges to give priority to students based on race, but offer no admission bonuses to low income students. A Georgetown study confirms Kahlenberg’s belief, finding that considering economic disadvantage could boost low income representation in higher education by 28%. In order to offer the best opportunities for students in the 21st century while maintaining complete diversity on campus, colleges and universities should shift from racial affirmative action to a system based on socioeconomic …show more content…
By providing admissions incentives to low income students with high academic achievements, colleges and universities can increase not only racial diversity on campus, but personal diversity as well. This diverse student body will positively contribute to the educational environment, while helping students of all demographics pursue an education and successful career. It is time to create a new admission standard based on economic status, to ensure equal opportunity for high achieving students regardless of