This misconception is held because it is believed that when a student’s race is being considered other aspects of their application, such as test scores and grades are not considered as heavily. Therefore these students would not meet the qualifications of the university without the aid of affirmative action. This misconception was proven untrue in a study conducted and published as a book called The Shape of the river: Long Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions. This study found “the graduation rate among black students who entered elite colleges in 1989 was 75% with another 4% transferring and graduating from other colleges. This rate, while being lower than that of the white students, was significantly higher than the graduation for white students at division 1 schools.” As said by economist William G. Bowen and Derek Bok. Miles Corwin shared this study with his reader at a point where affirmative action was up for vote. This strategic placement allowed the reader to consider factual evidence while reflecting on how they feel they would vote on the subject at that …show more content…
The sole motivator for my opposition of affirmative action derived from the belief that my chances of getting into a prestige university lessened with its use. Miles Corwin’s presentation of the gifted students forced me to realize, these students deserve just as much a chance as I do of being accepted, however will likely never have the opportunity without the aid of affirmative action. As stated above, the greatest impact this book had on me was the persuasion of my views on affirmative action. By seeing the environment and struggles high school seniors such as myself, must undergo simply to graduate opened my eyes and forced me to reconsider my position. Miles Corwin’s ability to unbiasedly provide a window into the lives and conflicts of gifted Crenshaw High School students, as well as the effect these implications have in the academic atmosphere greatly contributed to my conclusion. Affirmative Action is necessary to provide a level of fairness throughout the higher education