How the college admissions system favors the privileged and disadvantages most everyone else

Even before dozens of parents were charged with paying bribes to universities all over the country, the university system has always been rigged to favor some over others.

Listen 49:44
Photo AP/Ben Margot

Photo AP/Ben Margot

Last week’s indictment of 50 people involved in bribing coaches and cheating on entrance exams revealed a college admissions system rife with corruption and unfairness.  While those involved in this case used illegal tactics, the children of wealthy and connected parents have long benefitted from legally acceptable pathways to getting into the college of their choice.  In this hour of Radio Times, we’ll talk about why and how attending an elite college has become a status symbol and measure of success for parents and their children,  how the college admissions system favors those with privilege and disadvantages other students, and why the college sports recruiting system is inherently flawed and ripe for abuse.  Our guests are psychologist MADELINE LEVINE, author of Teach Your Children Well and The Price of Privilege, Harvard assistant professor of education ANTHONY JACK, author of the new book Privileged Poor, and Villanova professor RICHARD ECKSTEIN.

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