John White defends the UK private school system from the accusation that it allows an unfair form of 'queue jumping' in university admissions. He offers two responses to this accusation, one based on considerations of harm, and one based on meritocratic distribution of university places. We will argue that neither response succeeds: the…

More and more college admissions offices are inquiring about student applicant's criminal histories and making it nearly impossible for applicants who been convicted of crimes to gain admissions. In Massachusetts, nearly 75% of colleges inquire about criminal histories as a standard part of their student application process, according to…

In developing countries, higher education is a powerful instrument for social mobility and economic prosperity. An in-depth study of the relationship between higher education and certain equity issues has revealed that in Ghana and Tanzania there is inadequate effort to widen higher education participation to include traditionally disadvantaged…

Since its inception in Texas a baker's dozen years ago, educators look forward with every new legislative session to another round of discussion about the "top 10 percent rule," which guarantees admission to the state's public universities for these talented high school graduates. Originally passed as a way to increase enrollment of…

The University of the West Indies failed to obtain funding for a certificate program for adult education, indicating that access is a key issue. The future of Caribbean societies depends on more flexibility from higher education institutions in admissions policies, course offerings, and teaching approaches. (SK)

Throughout the 20th century, one of the central debates pertaining to postsecondary education has been about the concept of merit. Who deserves to go to college? The answer to that question goes to the heart of various policies that have been developed, changed, and debated. Perhaps no other policy has drawn more prominence and criticism than that…

The article suggests that graduate schools should act to provide access to Chicanos by altering the process and criteria for graduate admissions. It is recommended that the traditional graduate admissions qualifications be reexamined as to their ability to predict valid success criteria in terms of professional success and societal needs. (NQ)

The stiff competition among Japanese students for the limited number of spaces in the nation's most prestigious universities is described. Recent reforms in the entrance examination system and suggestions for further reforms are presented. (JMF)

Admission to higher education should not be determined by elitist criteria, but curriculum content should be controlled by the educated elite. Argues that admission should not depend on parents wealth or position; university graduates should pay for education themselves, through loan systems; and university graduates must develop an ethos of…

Higher education must make as clear as possible what it intends to do, can do, and will do, and its responsibility for the admission, retention, and graduation of students, planning equal emphasis and enthusiasm on helping students achieve well-defined standards of excellence. (Author/MSE)

A fantasy of the future is described, when the gains go not to the most qualified but to the most affluent, when college admissions seek to match supply with demand. The "product" higher education wishes to produce and the objectives of the admissions process are considered. (MLW)

Affirmative action and reverse discrimination are discussed. Facts that were omitted from the court record on the Bakke case are examined. The need for encouraging minority students and women to continue to press for school admission and for lawyers to continue to press affirmative action suits is stressed. (MC)

College admissions staffs deal with complex, overlapping, and competing demands, including issues such as achievement of campus diversity, promoting access to education, and balancing consumer demands and educational objectives. Involving people outside the admissions office and maintaining core institutional values are suggested as ways to serve…

Access to higher education in Great Britain has been restricted. The structure of British secondary education limits the number of potential college applicants. In order to maintain its funding and undergraduate enrollment levels, Oxford must admit more students from state-run schools. (AM)

Federal laws have mandated meaningful access to higher education for the handicapped just as teacher training institutions are confronted with pressure to raise academic standards. This paper examines the underlying legal issues and proposes guidelines and procedures for ensuring quality preservice training for the learning disabled and all…