<p>I agree with BigAl, and several others in this thread with similar viewpoints. You cannot underestimate the impact of environment (which includes home life): if you negate that, then the only logical reason Asians perform more highly than other groups is racial superiority. Students who have more obstacles in life–and yes, students of lower economic and social statuses do have considerably more, unless you believe in significant differences in racial ability to perform academically–deserve to have their applications evaluated in that context. I suppose that statement is opinion and some people do believe that those born into privilege have a right to milk that privilege for all it’s worth, but you cannot deny the fact that if you have two students of similar qualifications and one comes from a rich white family while another one comes from Compton, the student from Compton has done something incredibly special over the other student. I agree with the fact that universities feel it’s fair to adjust merit in accordance with environment. Will you perform better if your environment expects you and pushes you to perform highly or if your environment expects you and pushes you to perform worse? Again, I believe, as do the universities, that the student who defies his environment has something special that will benefit the campus and society as a whole. Their peers obviously wouldn’t help the situation, and their parents possibly have never heard of the school or just think it’s some snobby country club for rich people.</p>
<p>Like others, I come from a very diverse school, and it’s true that the black students have unfortunately different attitudes toward education. But this is what makes those who perform well even more impressive: to succeed when all of your closest peers act in such a way is astounding. It’s hard for many people to disassociate themselves from the culture closest to theirs. Those with opportunities should appreciate their opportunities and recognize the struggles of those without them. It must be hard to truly imagine what it’s like to come from such a background for those from privileged backgrounds, and I understand that, but people should really make an effort to do so. The ideas mentioned, such as traveling an hour to another school, are simply unheard of or impossible in many scenarios. The idea to even apply to a school like Princeton is unheard of in many schools: the counselors and teachers would never consider it, and the students may have practically no exposure to that world.</p>
<p>I feel that a fair way to approach the issue is to ask if two students, the stereotypical privileged white student and the stereotypical impoverished black student, were to switch environments and skin colors, how would their performances compare? How would they compare under the same environment and skin color? These factors do make a proven difference, and I feel they should be negated so the true essence of the applicant can be evaluated. I’m not suggesting to admit students clearly not qualified for study at Princeton (and those who are possibly under-qualified should be invited to their summer program). I’m sure many, many students rejected from Princeton can perform well there, and I highly doubt these top-tier schools accept students they know will not do well.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I don’t think affirmative action has as massive of an effect on applicants as some people here suggest. It’s merely a “consideration.” I know the University of Chicago denies having any sort of quotas, and I feel that other top-tier schools are the same. They just look at the applicants in the context of their environment. Maybe they’re lying, I don’t know, but I’ll take a risk at being naive and trust them.</p>
<p>And A2Wolves6, I think you stated that very well, so I’ll refrain from addressing that aspect of the thread and simply agree with your post :).</p>