<p>We simply don’t have the data to say with any certainty that there is any gender discrimination. The data that we do have suggests that the holistic admissions process uses criteria that a greater percentage of male applicants meet. As I said, who are we to judge what optimal admissions criteria and their weights are? It should obviously not have to be based on creating equal admit rates between males and females, just as it should not have to be based on creating a gender balanced class of admittees.</p>
<p>W&M Admissions does say that they set out to “create a class” - presumably through shaping the holistic admissions process. I think the only debate we can really have, without more data, is over whether a mostly numbers based or holistic admissions process is better.</p>
<p>On second thought, we could discuss what the holistic criteria are, but that could not be done without incorporating the identity desired by the College. But I would imagine that that is not the discussion that you desire. The College is, however, holding a series of campus-wide meetings with faculty, staff, students, townsfolk, and alumni to discuss the direction the College should go in and what identity we should take (i.e. does ‘small public liberal arts research university’ really define us well?).</p>
<p>Anyway, thank you for bringing this up. It was certainly enlightening to discuss gender and the college admissions process.</p>