<p>People here are arguing that there is insufficient data on which to base any conclusions that Hispanics are being favored in the admissions process at Stanford. A key argument is that we don’t see the “quality” of the various ethnic applicant pools, nor do we know the number in each pool and the acceptance rate versus each pool – all we see is the raw data that shows, clearly, that Hispanic admissions numbers have increased and blacks and Asians have decreased.</p>
<p>Given that Stanford will receive probably around 30,000 + applications this year, I would argue that this is a substantial statistical sample of applications and, within it, probably covers a very fair representation of the various ethnic pools. Assuming every ethnic group applied in equal numbers, we could conclude that the Hispanic pool was “better” for Stanford than any of the other pools (note the “for Stanford” qualifier, as it eliminates all the fuss about relative test scores, etc.). Based upon experience and belief, however, all of us on CC know that is is highly unlikely that the number of Black and Hispanic applicants would equal the number of Asian applicants. Stanford has substantial outreach programs for Blacks and Hispanics precisely because it can’t get enough of them; there is no Asian outreach. thus, we can assume that the applicant pool has fewer Blacks and Hispanics than Asians and that, therefore, the acceptance rate of these ethnic groups are greater in proportion to their pool than Asians. Given the widely publicised (by College Board and by ACT) difference in test scores between Blacks, Asians and Hispanics (all of which is tracked and is public information), and given the vast size of the statistical pool of applicants at Stanford, we can assume that the test statistics of the various ethnic pools at Stanford should only be a few points different than the State or national averages themselves. This being so, and the statistical sample being as broad as it is, we can reasonably conclude that (a) the Hispanic pool is smaller than the Asian pool and its test stats are likely to be lower and (b) indifferent to this broad proposition, Stanford chooses to promote Hispanics in preference to the other ethnic groups.</p>
<p>Stanford will get what it gets and must be happy with it. The exegesis shows the bias here, but the bias is merely something to be noted with a shrug – there probably is a bias at Notre Dame towards Catholics, for example, but no one jumps up and down about it. Similarly, if Stanford wants to lard its classes with Hispanics, that’s Stanford’s own business. More power to 'em.</p>