8/14/2019 Looking Beyond Grades and Scores University Admission

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Looking beyond grades: Students'

stories impress admissionsThe Boston GlobeBy Peter Schworm, adapted by Rob Ouwehand

The admissions team at Tufts University admitted ayoung engineer who built a wooden catapult in hisbackyard. Amherst College opened the door to aBangladeshi immigrant who had flunked gym class butfounded a newspaper about economics. They also let in amath-lover who cant sleep when he cant solve a problem.While academics are important, the schools also look for asomething special: talent, determination, or personality.

High school seniors wonder how top schools choose theirstudents, so The Boston Globe observed Tufts andAmhersts process, and saw a complex system that isanalytical and intuitive, impartial and personal, all atthe same time. They also showed how often intangiblequalities are the deciding factor.

Once everyone is above a certain level, academics nolonger help to separate candidates: 2200 students wereadmitted on pure academic achievement, but 1100 spacesremained, with 10 000 more applicants competing forthem. To choose between them, the committee looks into

applicantspersonalities, in an often exhausting process.

Some students are quickly eliminated: a girl with a weakacademic record is out, so is a top student with no extra-curricular activities. Tufts University looks at personality,intelligence, diligence, curiosity, leadership, and ambition:academic achievement is only one thing on the list. Theyoften prefer choosing low-income and minority studentswho overcome obstacles to excel. The student whoseapplication includes a touching story about caring for hisdisabled brother in a low-income home is a unanimous

selection.

Another student is a tough choice: shes hearing-impaired,and from a low-income neighborhood, but her grades areonly so-so. Finally, they set her case aside to look at itagain another time. The college is trying hard to admitmore students from poor and working-classneighborhoods. Their stories are often inspiring, andthough the panel has to make a lot of tough choices, theyare proud to give talented students a chance to achieve

their dreams.

1. Are you personally satisfiedwith the education youreceived? Why or why not?Do you think you could havebeen more successful in adifferent system?

2. Do you think personalhistory should be consideredin a university application?

3. Should students from adifficult background getspecial consideration?

4. Should students who areactive in clubs or groups bechosen over students withhigh scores?

5. Should Korean universitiesbe totally free to create their

own entrance requirements?6. What are the pros and consof using each of these thingsfor university entrance?a. interviewb. application essayc. reference lettersd. KSAT scorese. high school gradesf. extracurricular activitiesg. special achievementsh. family connections or

family donations

i. school rank (quality orreputation of high schoolthey attended)

7. If you were a universitypresident, whatrequirements would you useto choose which students toadmit, or reject?

8. What do you think needs tochange the most, to improveKoreas education system?a. too much focus on tests

(especially the KSAT)b. too much competitionc. the rich have an unfair

advantage because ofprivate schooling

d. not enough governmentspending on education

e. the hiring process forteachers is flawed

f. something else...

http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2009/03/22/looking_beyond_grades_and_scores/?

p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed1 Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company

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