In honor of several universities releasing admission decisions today, I offer some selected quotes from an article: nytimes.com/1970/03/13/arc…
"As the officials plow through the thousands of applications, recommendations and test scores, youngsters and parents bite their nails waiting to see if they have beaten the mysterious system and been chosen by the college of their choice."
"It is probably easier to get into college these days, but harder to [be admitted to] your first choice."
"The mechanics of selection vary...the process remains largely an inexact one, marked by much guess work and, not infrequently, human error."
“The complications, inequities and injustices in the present system are developing a tolerance for, acceptance of and perhaps even a glorification of deceit, maneuvering and influence peddling,”
"Whatever the acumen of admission staffs in spotting talent, their methods and the uncertainty they cause have made for wide unhappiness among students, parents’ and educators."
"[High School principal], asks that colleges put an end to the “admissions rat race” by listing their standards clearly and accepting all candidates who qualify under them."
"While agreeing that the system tends to cause psychological damage—particularly to parents—admissions [staffs] resist spelling out their criteria, saying that this would deprive them of the flexibility to admit those with unusual attributes."
“The parents are more paranoid than the kids…they are looking back [40 years earlier] and superimpose their experience on it.” - Admissions Officer
Now go back and look at the date on the article.
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