The Art and Science Of College Admissions
By Julianne Malveaux
President George W. Bush says he thinks the University of Michigan’s affirmative action plan is “divisive” and a “de facto quota system” because it admits students solely on the basis of race. Either President Bush is woefully misinformed or he has chosen to ignore the facts of the University of Michigan admissions policy.
According to Dr. Mary Sue Coleman, president of the University of Michigan, “Race is among the factors considered” for admission to the university. The university also considers things such as geography (for instance, Michigan residents are given preference, and those from underrepresented Michigan counties also are given preference), legacy status, personal achievement, leadership and service, scholarship athlete and other factors. Indeed, in the “miscellaneous” category, through “provost’s discretion,” a student can earn 20 points, reserving slots for outstanding young people whose grades and scores might not admit them.
