Theories Of College Admissions

Race should not be a criterion for college admission because students are with higher grade point averages and SAT scores are being denied because of their white race. Blacks, Hispanics, and Native American applicants receive a more privileged status. Critics argue that the admissions system is biased and hypocritical because students like Grutter, Hamacher, and Gratz, feel that they are discriminated against in a country that is supposed to oppose discrimination. Applicants who are children of donors or key supporters, alumni, etc. gain admission points. In my opinion, I agree with advocates of meritocracy. I believe in equal opportunity for people to rise or fall to a position based on their talent. College admission should solely be based …show more content…
It is largely an outcome of individual talent and hard work. The view that the American educational system is responsible for sorting students based on talent and effort is a central component of the functional theory of education. The functional theory also stresses the training role of schools. In other words, in schools, most people learn how to read, write, count, calculate, and perform other tasks essential to the workings of a modern industrial society. A third function of the educational system involves socialization of the young. Schools teach the young to have nationalism, respect the law, and think of democracy as the best form of government, and value capitalism. Lastly, schools transmit culture from generation to generation.
Manifest functions are sorting, training, socializing, and transmitting culture. They are positive goals that schools accomplish intentionally. Latent functions are unintended functions such as schools encouraging the development of a separate youth culture that conflicts with parents values or creating “marriage markets” in college. Moreover, by schools keeping young children most of the day they allow parents to work in the paid labor force. Colleges restrict job competition and support wage levels. Lastly, schools challenge authoritarian regimes and promote social …show more content…
Cultural capital refers to the widely shared, high status cultural signals used for social and cultural exclusion. One behaves according to established rules of etiquette, values and pursues the goals of their school, and eventually earns a degree from one of the “right” colleges. Possession of cultural capital is linked to school where students learn and display particular tastes, styles, and understandings that make communication easier with high-status individuals. Having a greater degree of cultural capital ensure’s a person 's success because it is a practical and useful strategy for low status students who aspire towards upward