Sampled colleges nationwide to determine whether admissions criteria differed significantly for minority groups. Results indicated minorities are expected to show evidence of quantifiable accomplishment. Noncognitive factors were less important. Private and Protestant colleges were more likely to consider motivation and admissions interviews. (JAC)

Looks at the problem in the Federal Republic of Germany over the past two decades of regulating access to higher education in the face of a growing demand for admission. (SJL)

Presents a series of studies that show how applicant-reported biodata, together with standard academic criteria, were used to select candidates in one Canadian preservice teacher education program. Analysis of data from 1986-90 indicates that assigning equal weight to academic and personal criteria has several advantages. (SM)

Examines the ethical conflict in community college nursing programs between the value placed on equal educational opportunity and the need for quality and high standards. Offers a defense of open admissions and open access and presents the case against open admissions. Suggests priorities for associate degree nursing programs. (37 references) (MAB)

Many colleges, Harvard among them, offer preferential admission to the children of alumni. The legacy preferential system perpetuates elitism and the status quo and places blacks and other minorities, whose parents were less likely to have gone to college, at a real disadvantage. (SLD)

Examines international trends in selection for higher education, as well as school-leaving examinations and university access in South Africa. Discusses tensions between educational quality and equity related to access. Describes equitable admissions criteria instituted at the University of the Western Cape, and some dilemmas encountered by…

Many deregulated public charter schools are emphasizing parental involvement. But to what extent do the initiators of these charter schools use parent involvement and parent contracts to restrict enrollment to students whose parents demonstrate the desired commitments and willingness to meet school expectations? To explore this question, this…

Although the school-choice movement has spread quickly, little time has been taken to assess whether the claimed benefits of school choice have actually been realized. This policy brief summarizes empirical evidence to date and addresses the following questions: Who gains from school choice and who loses? Do innovative school organizations arise…

The admissions decision-making process at Dartmouth College is described in transcriptions of National Public Radio broadcasts. Applicants who are accepted have to be approved at Round Table, where their cases are considered for 30 days by 13 admission officers. These Round Table discussions of specific applicants, whose identities are concealed,…

In 1975 a nationwide sample of admissions offices of 110 large, primarily white universities were surveyed on their admission of black freshmen and on their admission criteria. Particular emphasis was placed on further effects of budget cuts and on admission criteria for nonblack minorities. Responses from 107 schools, showed that the national…

All of the financial aid decisions at Williams College (Williamstown, Massachusetts) for the past 14 years--nearly 14,000 of them--were reviewed to see how much students actually paid for tuition, room, board, and fees to go to that highly selective and expensive school, their net prices. Williams practices need-blind admission with full…

This legal document presents the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in the case brought against the University of Michigan's use of racial preferences in undergraduate admissions. In Gratz et al. v. Bollinger et al., the Court held that while race is one of a number of factors that can be considered in undergraduate admissions, the automatic…

Examines relative gender access to elementary school education from 1977 to 1990 in Imo State (Nigeria). It discusses the reasons for, and implications of, any observed gender disparities in access to elementary school education and suggests appropriate intervention strategies to eliminate obstacles to female access to education in Nigeria. (GR)

An economist discusses whether strategic use of student financial aid to achieve sound fiscal goals in higher education is at odds with the competing goal of equity. Overemphasis on efficiency will cause higher education to lose sight of its mission; while it should not shy away from rational consideration of expenses and revenues, it should…

According to a report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education (NCPPHE), a nonprofit organization that promotes public policies that enhance higher education opportunity, 250,000 prospective students were locked out of college in 2003-2004 because of increased tuition or reductions in admissions and course offerings. The…