You meet a black Ivy League grad - what are you secretly thinking to yourself?

[Anonymous]

Well judging from some of the comments on this thread Lawrence Mungin wasn't imagining everything.

If I meet a minority who went to a top school, I assume they're smart and effective. That's it.

[Anonymous]

Basically, you have two people applying to a top university...one white...one black. Both have steller GPA, SATs scores, are involved in sports and clubs...completely equal on paper. The university is going to accept the black student everytime, because that is what the school needs. Schools are always being criticised for not accepting enough minorities (especially top universities). I am not saying that the minority is not smart or deserving, but the fact that he/she is a minority gives him/her an advantage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basically, you have two people applying to a top university...one white...one black. Both have steller GPA, SATs scores, are involved in sports and clubs...completely equal on paper. The university is going to accept the black student everytime, because that is what the school needs. Schools are always being criticised for not accepting enough minorities (especially top universities). I am not saying that the minority is not smart or deserving, but the fact that he/she is a minority gives him/her an advantage.

....and so what? Such is life. Go to another school. There will be other opportunities.

This is the lame argument I always hear from over-priviledged white boys. I want to scream "well you already won the birth jackpot by being born white, male, American and rich. So shut the F up!"

- an over privilegded white girl who is also a terrible speller and did not go to an Ivy League college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basically, you have two people applying to a top university...one white...one black. Both have steller GPA, SATs scores, are involved in sports and clubs...completely equal on paper. The university is going to accept the black student everytime, because that is what the school needs. Schools are always being criticised for not accepting enough minorities (especially top universities). I am not saying that the minority is not smart or deserving, but the fact that he/she is a minority gives him/her an advantage.

Don't be so sure of that. Money is the true advantage. While some Ivy's are "need blind" with respect to admissions, many elite schools are not. This means, all things being equal, the candidate that is most qualified financially (read: able to pay tuition) is the one that gets in. The only color that matters is green.

[Anonymous]

I think, "Oh lord, pretty soon I am going to have to hear some stupid shit about this guy/gal from some other white person who assumes I agree with their f-ed up attitudes because of the color of my skin."

[Anonymous]

I'm white. How do I walk a mile in the shoes of another? Really, how?

[Anonymous]

I think s/he must be smart.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:My next door neighbor is a black Ivy League graduate. Many of her friends that visit are also black Ivy League grads. It never occurred to me that any of them benefitted from affirmative action. They may have had help from scholarships or got some other kind of a break, but every one of them has been an impressive individual. I am generally awed by them.

I think attributing a minorities' success to affirmative action is a cop out. And, any minority that actually did benefit from affirmative action should not give a crap what anyone else thinks. Affirmative action may have gotten them in the door. It didn't get them the diploma. They earned that.

In college 20+ years ago, I felt that AA was reverse discrimination in admissions. Now, I think what Jeff says is true. Race ceases to be an influence when blind grading starts. Success is what the individual makes of it. Getting into an ivy league gives you an advantage, but it sure doesn't make you succeed. At some point, hard work and intelligence play a more important role.

[Anonymous]

I would like to put a few tings into perspective. First of all, one of my former boyfriends was a black ivy grad (Stanford). He applied to Yale, Harvard, Princeton and Duke and did not get in. His SAT's were over 740 on each part ( I forgot the details, but I think 740 verbal, 780 math). Karate black belt in HS, traveled to Africa in 11th grade for mission, nice family and so on. There are MANY well qualified blacks that are rejected from these schools.

Second, according to admissions staff at many well respected schools, it is getting harder and harder to find qualified white non-Jewish males to fill spots at ivies, as the competition gets tougher. In the days when few Jews or Asians applied, it was VERY easy for the white guys.

Third, when I meet an ivy educated man over 55, I think G W Bush.

Fourth, I know many black people who have been admitted to ivy league schools who choose other schools including historically black colleges. Maybe to avoid people like OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basically, you have two people applying to a top university...one white...one black. Both have steller GPA, SATs scores, are involved in sports and clubs...completely equal on paper. The university is going to accept the black student everytime, because that is what the school needs. Schools are always being criticised for not accepting enough minorities (especially top universities). I am not saying that the minority is not smart or deserving, but the fact that he/she is a minority gives him/her an advantage.

So say the school wants to set aside 25% of its admissions for minorities, you don't see how it might be an advantage to be white and compete for 75% of the slots instead of one of the minorities fighting it out to be part of the 25%?

In answer to OP's question, I am thinking that they probably are pretty smart and well rounded.

[Anonymous]

George Bush just turned 64. The Ivies were highly competitive for people who are now in their mid-50s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basically, you have two people applying to a top university...one white...one black. Both have steller GPA, SATs scores, are involved in sports and clubs...completely equal on paper. The university is going to accept the black student everytime, because that is what the school needs. Schools are always being criticised for not accepting enough minorities (especially top universities). I am not saying that the minority is not smart or deserving, but the fact that he/she is a minority gives him/her an advantage.

First off, this isn't true.

Second off, things are never equal, even on paper. It's a false premise to begin with.

Third, even if we assume it's true on all fronts... so what? It's a coin flip either way. Would you prefer it go to the white person every time? It's been going to the white person for some 400+ years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:George Bush just turned 64. The Ivies were highly competitive for people who are now in their mid-50s.

Not so, no no no. In 1971 there were very small numbers of US grads even applying to college compared to today.

[Anonymous]

@14:11 Pls tell me you're kidding. It would make you feel better if minorities at Ivy Leagues came from impoverished backgrounds??? If an applicant's mother isn't "collecting" welfare it makes you sad? Are we talking about colleges or auditions for American Idol?

Are you saying minorities at Ivy Leagues must be on financial aid?

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who is black and attended Harvard. When I first met her, the only thought I had was "Wow you are supersmart"!The majority of her AA friends went to ivy leagues as well they are smart, funny people! I didn't care that they were AA and went to ivy leagues. Who the heck cares?