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College Admissions

I know it is two in a row of things that aren't journal related, but I really feel passionate about this. And thanks to Melissa for bringing it up. Here is the article in question.

First, yay! to the reference about American not being biased. I think that is really important. Check out the Melissa's blog and her interpretation of this catastrophic change in sexual discrimination. I would suggest clicking on the link for the feminine point of view, but it is not well argued, so prepare for disappointment.

My complaint is that there are three direct references to women being happy about this later, and not complaining now, and we've gotten this in the past, etc. They say it could upset the blanace of the country. They're on drugs. These horrificly sexist arguments do not take into consideration the most valuable point - they aren't qualified. We chastise colleges (not enough obviously) for taking in classroom-stupid students so they can play on sports teams. So, yeah, Title IX has obviously done something in that arena too. Balancing the playing field in sports has admitted more women. At most universities, the women's teams have the highest grade point averages.

If using racial rulers is illegal so should using gender rulers. And if the problem isn't corrected, they could try fixing it in primary and secondary schools. More than that, look at the gender differential in the workplace. Men still dominate the country. Women might be more educated in this generation, but they are still staying at home with the kids and being housewives. No, not as much as in the 50's, but hello, blame it on the economy - not women - that you need two incomes to get it done.

Also, I think it is time to consider that it is possible that underqualified candidates were being accepted before as a means of "filling the class." Now, there are an exceptional number of candidates. High schools prepare students for university and vocational schools have more or less fallen by the wayside.

On a different level, the standards to get into college have fallen across the board. You don't need a foreign language to get in. SAT and ACT exams are getting easier and easier. Some schools do not even require an essay. University students upon graduation cannot all answer basic history, science, or english language questions - like the ones asked on eighth grade exit exams, the US Citizenship test, or the elementary school essay contest. And forget about math. Shouldn't we consider making schools more challenging and weeding out the students who aren't earning it? If we do that, and get rid of unqualified girls and boys, then there will be more space for the students who have been working their tails off for the previous 13 years.

Form your own opinion on the subject, and let me know how you feel. Love always, ~Heather

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