The college admissions process has long been a defining gateway to success for countless individuals seeking opportunities to grow, learn, and contribute. However, for elite institutions, this pathway has often been marred by disparities and deeply rooted biases, leaving the doors open to some while effectively shutting out many others. It’s time to rethink admissions and build pathways that prioritize equity, creating a fairer and more diverse landscape in higher education.

Challenges in the Current Admissions System

Elite institutions have historically used admissions processes that, while intricate, often perpetuate inequities. These challenges come in several forms:

  • Standardized Testing Bias: Standardized tests like the SAT and ACT were initially designed to predict student success during their freshman year of college. However, these exams have increasingly come under scrutiny for reflecting socioeconomic disparities. Students with access to expensive test prep courses, private tutors, and well-resourced schools often outscore peers from underprivileged backgrounds.
    • Data also reveals racial disparities in testing outcomes, as students of color tend to score lower than their white peers, not because of ability or intelligence, but due to structural inequities in education access and systemic racism. By over-relying on these tests, institutions risk perpetuating cycles of privilege rather than broadening access.
  • Legacy Admissions: Legacy preferences, which give a boost to applicants with family ties to alumni, are another significant barrier to equity. Though these policies are often justified as a way to encourage alumni donations or maintain tradition, studies have shown that legacy admissions primarily benefit wealthier, white families. This advantages a narrow demographic while unfairly sidelining first-generation and underrepresented students.
  • Geographic and Institutional Gaps: Location plays an outsized role in admissions, with students from rural or low-income urban areas vastly underrepresented at elite schools. Furthermore, high-performing students from under-resourced public schools often struggle to stand out in a system designed to favor candidates from prestigious high schools or private academies.

Innovative Approaches to Admissions

To dismantle these barriers, elite institutions have begun experimenting with new strategies aimed at fostering equity and inclusion. While these initiatives are still evolving, their potential to reshape higher education is undeniable.

Holistic Admissions Reviews

Holistic admissions reviews go beyond numbers to evaluate an applicant’s entire story. This approach considers multiple facets of a student’s background, such as personal essays, recommendation letters, extracurricular involvement, and community impact. By prioritizing context, like overcoming adversity or excelling despite under-resourced schools, holistic reviews offer a fuller picture of a student's potential.

For example, the University of California has adopted comprehensive review policies that assess 13 factors, including a student’s socioeconomic status, family responsibilities, and achievements relative to opportunities available.

Test-Optional and Test-Blind Policies

A growing movement among institutions to make standardized test scores optional or eliminate them entirely has gained momentum in recent years. These policies allow students to decide whether to include test results in their application, focusing instead on other indicators of academic promise.

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) transitioned to test-blind admissions, meaning they entirely disregard standardized test scores, leveling the field for applicants from underprivileged backgrounds. Early outcomes suggest improved diversity both in terms of racial representation and socioeconomic background.

Community-Based Outreach Programs

One way to improve equity is by reaching students who might not traditionally consider elite institutions as options. Collaboration with community organizations, high schools in underserved areas, and nonprofits can help broaden access to information and resources.

For instance, Princeton University’s Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP) partners with low-income high schools to provide intensive academic and leadership development for students. This initiative not only empowers students but also better equips them for the expectations of rigorous academic environments.

Removing Bias from Legacy and Donor Preferences

Increasingly, calls are growing for elite institutions to end legacy and donor-based admissions advantages. Schools like Johns Hopkins University have taken steps toward equity by phasing out legacy preferences entirely, showcasing a growing acknowledgment of the harmful ripple effects these policies create.

The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion

At the heart of reevaluating admissions policies is the fundamental importance of fostering diversity. Diverse classrooms promote richer discussions, enhance cross-cultural understanding, and prepare students for an increasingly globalized workforce.

Research consistently shows that companies and workplaces with greater diversity perform better and are more innovative. When higher education leads the way in creating inclusive spaces, it sets a powerful example for industries and communities alike.

Success Stories in Equitable Admissions

Several institutions have successfully implemented policies that emphasize equity, setting benchmarks for others to follow.

Harvard’s “ZIP Code Strategy” brings attention to applicants from underrepresented geographical areas, ensuring they are given due consideration despite their location or lack of access to advanced placement classes.

The Posse Foundation, which partners with colleges like Vanderbilt and Brandeis, identifies high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds to form diverse “posses” that attend together, providing mutual support throughout their academic journeys.

Such efforts showcase the tangible benefits of prioritizing inclusion, but there’s still much work to do. Scaling these initiatives and continuing to innovate is essential for lasting impact.

Long-Term Benefits of Redesigning Admissions

The shift toward equity does not end with admissions. Institutions that invest in diversity gain far-reaching benefits. Equitable access creates a ripple effect, enabling more individuals to succeed in leadership roles, power innovation, and contribute to societal progress.

For first-generation and underrepresented students, equitable admissions can be life-changing, breaking cycles of poverty and creating opportunities that extend to their families and communities. Looking ahead, more diverse college graduates lead to a more inclusive workforce, fostering progress at every level of society.