The social and economic inequities in America's K-12 education system are well known, what with a rapidly expanding system of expensive private schools and the striking contrasts between urban and suburban public schools. America's higher education system, on the other hand, is generally regarded as far more equitable, given that each of the fifty…

The possibility of weighing disadvantagement in undergraduate and graduate admissions is addressed. The results of preliminary research suggest that objective measures of disadvantagement can be developed so as to increase minority students' chances of being selected. (Author/LBH)

An analysis of three decades of data from national samples of entering college freshmen reveals that (a) there are substantial socioeconomic inequities in access to the most selective U.S. colleges and universities and that (b) American higher education is more socioeconomically stratified today than at any time during the past three decades. The…

Discusses institutional quality and its implications for college admissions counselors in terms of changing student interests, recruitment, and outcomes of education. Describes the influence of college characteristics such as size and reputation on students' choice of a college and on high school counselors' advice. (JAC)

Addresses the subject of school choice. Suggests that, unlike a business that grows to accommodate demand, popular schools will become more selective because they are not a profit-making entity. Argues that school choice will only further the stratification of the public and private school system. (DK)

The roles and options open in the continuing effort to increase minority participation in higher education and the professions are discussed. Actions of colleges and universities in admissions are addressed, along with the efforts of state and federal government programs, professional associations, and educational researchers. (Author/LBH)

The fifteenth annual report of national normative data on characteristics of students entering college as first-time, full-time freshmen is presented as part of the Cooperative Institutional Research Program. The 1980 normative data are based on responses from 187,124 freshmen entering 355 institutions, of which 19 were new and 336 old…