Reply to SAT "adversity" adjustment

Forum Index » College and University Discussion

Reply to "SAT "adversity" adjustment"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I can not believe how many of you affluent advantaged people are now online rallying against this.  Have you no shame? As you no empathy? Have you no understanding? This is not designed to hurt your kids, but to help other kids.[/quote]

+1 it’s like oh I’m so sad I can afford to have a nice house and neighborhood why are these poor students who are dealing with violence and poverty taking our deserved spots?? [b]LOL.[/b] [b]Don’t worry your kids will be just fine[/b] with all the social capital you have given them by living in your “nice” homogenous neighborhood. [/quote]

I honestly can see arguments on both sides of this issue, and I see the benefits of providing some context for scores that are based on a multitude of factors.  I am a believer in the premise that underprivileged/first generation college students can benefit more from a prestigious education than a more advantaged student.

[u]However[/u], every time this type of discussion comes up, someone makes this argument, and it I think it's the worst possible argument you could make to advance your cause.  You're saying, "We're holding your kid back because it allows other kids to catch up. But its ok that your kid won't reach their full potential -- they'll be [u]FINE[/u]."  This makes it clear that the goal isn't to help the poor students do better; the goal is to prevent advantaged students from succeeding.  The best they can do is "fine."  (The "LOL" really helps, too. /sarc)

This argument doesn't sound like someone making a case for understanding. What it really sounds like is someone who has achieved a position of privilege (albeit not by the traditional definition) and doesn't want to give it up.  Sounds like the flip side of "My kid is advantaged by an expensive private school, tutors, etc., but it doesn't matter -- your kid will be just fine."

In a way, I think this could make things more difficult for the schools.  They used to just be able to cite to the racial diversity of their students. Now, the question will be "how many of the students were 50+ (or whatever) on the "disadvantage scale?"  I suspect that Harvard's entering class will not look as good when viewed through this lens. I do think the students who have the most to lose are middle to upper class URMs whose parents sacrificed to send them to a "Big 3."  [/quote]

I think that Harvard will be JUST FINE.  Lol.  [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics