Diversity concern at liberal arts schools

[Anonymous]

7:44

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you apply to schools who have trouble with diversity, they will probably value your child's application more. My Asian child got wined and dined by many SLAC's because they want to keep their minority numbers up. (Like they offered to fly her to campus for Admitted students day, sponsored special "identity" dinners with the dean the night before, etc).

wow!

This is not unique to Asian American students. They do similar events for African American, Latino, and first-generation students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. These schools do seem to be trying to diversify their student bodies.

I wonder whether the fact that so many are in rural or semi-rural locations hurts as well. For example, the community surrounding Kenyon is really conservative - my (white) son and I toured and saw 3 confederate flags in front of homes within 5 miles of campus. It was jarring, to say the least (and yes, not all rural people are racists...) but if you look at the Trump vote percentages in the areas surrounding Denison, Kenyon, Wooster, OWU, for example, it is stark.

[Anonymous]

Yes, we saw many Trump placards in rural PA yards.

The campuses are not like this...but the surrounding communities are.

Part of America, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

<<This is not unique to Asian American students. They do similar events for African American, Latino, and first-generation students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. These schools do seem to be trying to diversify their student bodies.>>

Agreed, but the original poster did not seem to be aware of this ADVANTAGE that exists at schools that have not achieved optimal diversity.

[Anonymous]

What, pray tell, is "optimal diversity?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, we saw many Trump placards in rural PA yards.

The campuses are not like this...but the surrounding communities are.

Part of America, unfortunately.

Trump placards are one thing. Confederate flags are another, and yes those aren't prevalent on campus. BUT, it certainly would make one ;think twice about venturing off campus.

[Anonymous]

There are fewer Confederate flags in rural Virginia than I saw in PA. Keep that in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What, pray tell, is "optimal diversity?"

That’s a decision only a college can make, but the general idea is one that is at least similar to the general population.

But that wasn’t really a question, was it...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What, pray tell, is "optimal diversity?"

Whatever mix a private school thinks would make the best environment for young adults to grow and learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What, pray tell, is "optimal diversity?"

That’s a decision only a college can make, but the general idea is one that is at least similar to the general population.

But that wasn’t really a question, was it...

I was thinking of the post at 11:12 yesterday talking about SLACs (Williams, Swarthmore, Pomona) that were doing "better on diversity," all of which had % white (often significantly) smaller than the % white in college age population.

An earlier poster was complaining about Midwestern LACs with % white over 65%. If you consider the demographics of the Midwest augmented by a notion of the college readiness of various groups, I am not sure why one would think you would see anything other than what you do see in LAC demographics.

If you don't want to go to a school a low % of Asians, fine. Don't go to a Midwestern LAC. However, the demographics of these schools does not demonstrate any inherent racism by the school in its admissions process.

[Anonymous]

No one said they did.

You are really defensive about racism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What, pray tell, is "optimal diversity?"

That’s a decision only a college can make, but the general idea is one that is at least similar to the general population.

But that wasn’t really a question, was it...

I was thinking of the post at 11:12 yesterday talking about SLACs (Williams, Swarthmore, Pomona) that were doing "better on diversity," all of which had % white (often significantly) smaller than the % white in college age population.

An earlier poster was complaining about Midwestern LACs with % white over 65%. If you consider the demographics of the Midwest augmented by a notion of the college readiness of various groups, I am not sure why one would think you would see anything other than what you do see in LAC demographics.

If you don't want to go to a school a low % of Asians, fine. Don't go to a Midwestern LAC. However, the demographics of these schools does not demonstrate any inherent racism by the school in its admissions process.

Good thing no one said it did.

In fact, nearly everyone is saying the opposite — that these schools with low URM % are trying harder to get them, and offering admissions advantages to students who might not be URM at other schools.

So WTF are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, we saw many Trump placards in rural PA yards.

The campuses are not like this...but the surrounding communities are.

Part of America, unfortunately.

Trump placards are one thing. Confederate flags are another, and yes those aren't prevalent on campus. BUT, it certainly would make one ;think twice about venturing off campus.

I think it would greatly behoove posters on DCUM to actually talk to these folks in rural America. You might find that a Confederate flag means something other than white supremacy to them. You might want to calmly talk politics with a Trump supporter without first calling him a racist. It might be informative. After all, these people constitute about one half of the population of the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one said they did.

You are really defensive about racism.

Poster at 00:18 said "DC's comfort/interest/sense of fit seemed to align with them fairly well--roughly if a school had 65% or > white students it often seemed like less of a good fit." which I took as a comment that somehow a student body with that % white would not be accepting of Asians. I withdraw my comment that someone suggested that % white is potentially a measure racism in admissions. I disagree entirely that a high % white school would not be accepting of Asian.

Frankly I think colleges should be working more on diversity on matters other than race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one said they did.

You are really defensive about racism.

Poster at 00:18 said "DC's comfort/interest/sense of fit seemed to align with them fairly well--roughly if a school had 65% or > white students it often seemed like less of a good fit." which I took as a comment that somehow a student body with that % white would not be accepting of Asians. I withdraw my comment that someone suggested that % white is potentially a measure racism in admissions. I disagree entirely that a high % white school would not be accepting of Asian.

Frankly I think colleges should be working more on diversity on matters other than race.

Yes, they do that also. It’s really hard to build a class. So very many needs, not all convergent. That’s why things can seem so unfair.