The University of California Regents have instituted a "Comprehensive Review" system for admission that purports to consider the whole student instead of merely grades and test scores. An examination of the Comprehensive Review reveals a back door attempt to reinstate racial preferences in college admission, a practice the Regents banned…

Emphasizing graduation rate, W. Bowen and D. Bok (1998) argue that race-sensitive admission at selective colleges enhances the educational attainment of underrepresented minority students, and that the effect increases with college selectivity. Focusing on graduation in science, however, R. Elliott and colleagues (1995) conclude that: (1)…

This study examines the role of Advanced Placement (AP) and other honors-level courses as a criterion for admission at a leading public university, the University of California, and finds that the number of AP and honors courses taken in high school bears little or no relationship to students' later performance in college. AP is increasingly…

This paper presents three reviews of the book, "The Shape of the River: Long-Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions," by William Bowen and Derek Bok. The book defends affirmative action in college admissions. The first review says that the book presents important data, but it is seriously flawed…

Some programs in journalism and mass communication have been forced to incorporate limited enrollment strategies, as undergraduate interest in these programs continues to grow. After 4 years of moderate growth, undergraduate enrollments in journalism and mass communication programs increased dramatically in the year 2000. Some of the limited…

The first report in this issue, "Economic Segregation of Higher Education Opportunity 1973 to 2001," describes the way higher education enrollments in U.S. colleges and universities are rapidly being sorted by family income and social class. Students born into different economic class backgrounds are increasingly concentrated in distinct…

Correlation of the Scholastic Assessment Test I: Reasoning Test (SAT I) scores and high school grade point average (HSGPA) with freshman grade point average (FGPA) were studied in a sample of 23 colleges. The SAT I predicts FGPA about equally well across different ethnic groups. Correlation of the SAT I and the composite of SAT I scores and HSGPA…

Testing and tests are shown to have played a positive and dramatic role in increased opportunities through identification of educational talent. It is argued that tests, far from denying equality, are necessary conditions for equality and quality. (Author/CM)

Discusses the philosophical rationale for preferential affirmative action presented by Daniel C. Maguire in "A New American Justice." Maintains that self-interest bars present society's acceptance of Maguire's theories of justice, as demonstrated in negative reactions to the Harvard Law Review's affirmative action plan. (MJL)

When denied a position in favor of a minority with lower scores and grades, some White males complain that they have achieved these scores and grades through their own efforts. A variety of factors which influence scores and grades a person achieves are taken into consideration. The least of the factors is shown to be the person's effort. (JN)

Describes how Penn State University introduced significantly revised admission standards. Discusses past admission practices. Describes changes including the addition of honors courses in evaluation of the secondary school record, consideration of college enrollment capacity, and actions in area of minority student and out-of-state enrollment. (RC)

A provisional admissions program at Nova University Law Center allows students who do not qualify for admission to take two summer courses to prove their ability to succeed. One of the courses offered, Commercial Transactions I (Sales), which covers parts of the Uniform Commercial Code, is described and its suitability for beginning law students…

The DiLeo v Board of Regents of the University of Colorado decision which dismissed an equal protection challenge to a preferential admission program of the University of Colorado School of Law is discussed. Whether the decision is in accord with the general law of standing and alternative remedies is examined. (MLW)

Reviews policies of college officials in controlling admission of minority students (Jews, Catholics, immigrants) to selected American colleges and universities from 1900-1970. Suggests that institutions of higher education may have to justify their admission policies by submitting them to periodic public or semipublic review. (DB)

The Bakke decision will cause institutions to strengthen academic support programs, improve admissions procedures, and develop stronger evaluation programs. Institutions will see more "reverse discrimination" cases in the future. (Author)