Auto admit to GMU
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Anonymous
I would not, unless your kid is graduating in 2026 or before. The program is not guaranteed to continue after that juncture. My child is class of 2027, and I think this would be a great option for him. He wants to attend college, but probably not going to a top selective school due to learning disabilities. |
Anonymous
GMU serves the whole state, not ACPS. |
Anonymous
I think it's a good question. The program is a pilot one designed to target underrepresented students, so ACPS was selected, but I do wonder if the program would pass a court challenge. |
Anonymous
OK. And... Why on earth wouldn't it "be allowed"? |
Anonymous
Nothing stopping him from filling out an application... |
Anonymous
+1 It's very inclusive. |
Anonymous
DP but I suspect the pilot program won't withstand a court challenge. why should only one county in an entire state get a priviletged program? Why am I, a Fairfax county taxpayer paying for a program for ACPS students - which effectively takes spots away from my own children? I'm really surprised this one got by the lawyers on GMU's board. Doesn't this violate equal protection laws? |
Anonymous
What’s the protected category? “Other counties” doesn’t qualify. |
Anonymous
^^ I believe this program was designed with an eye towards avoiding the race ban of the SCOTUS opinion. GMU wants more underrepresented and first-generation students (which is a little odd inasmuch as GMU is already the most diverse institution in the state) so their board looks for a county with a high number of black and Hispanic students (for Arlington its 25.1% black and 43.8% Hispanic) and decides to try this program there. Why couldn't they have done a state-wide program (like Texas) - anyone who lands in the top 10% of their class can go to GMU, etc. Because that won't bring in the URM and first generation students GMU wants, ergo it looks to "try out" this program in a county with a high number of URM and first gens. BUT WITHOUT EVER SAYING RACE! See? In contrast, Fairfax County (in WHICH GMU SITS) is only 10% black and 27% hispanic. So, in lawyer's terms, GMU is engagine in forum shopping to get the URM/low income/first gen students it wants without saying one "race". No, it won't pass a court challenge because it's inherently unfair and a public university should not be engaging in social engineering that actively takes seats away from other PUBLIC students who might want to attend GMU |
Anonymous
The process should be the same for all applicants. How is this helping anyone by doing something for them? Either remove requirements (apps, essays, recommendations) for everyone or not at all. This is easily remedied by adding a first generation question to GMU's app but we all know this isn't targeting just 1st gen. |
Anonymous
Agree. It’s a sloppy way of targeting URM students fast and easy - without violating the scotus decision. Note the applicant doesn’t even have to write an essay (per Roberts’ dictum) about how the applicant’s race should get them a seat at GMU. Either go to a Texas model (x percent of students get in with a certain gpa -no race discussed) or continue with the crazy full application process but GMU cannot say a certain rule applies to a certain county. |
Anonymous
| ^^ meant to say Alexandria City High School Seniors, not county but same argument |
Anonymous
| ^^ not surprising Alexandria City High School is only 22% white. |
Anonymous
Challenge of what exactly? It’s not taking away spots, it’s removing barriers for applications. GMU accepts many, many students and these students would likely have been admitted anyway. Part of its mission is to be inclusive. First gen students is a key focus of that. |
Anonymous
| Seems quite brilliant on GMU's part. |