<p>As I’ve said, I don’t believe the faculty committee chooses scholarship recipients based solely on whether someone is an athletic recruit or a racial/ethnic minority. Having said that, these factors are likely considered, along with the rest of the application. To play the Devil’s advocate here…</p>
<p>Why shouldn’t athletics be heavily considered? It’s an extra-curricular activity requiring hard-work, commitment, leadership, teamwork, and perseverance. What do you think about the weight given to special musical talent? The U of C music department listens to and evaluates musical recordings that students send in. Is it better for admissions to consider music over sports? Does success in music demonstrate as many positive qualities as success in sports does? Both of these may demonstrate positive personal characteristics. Does an athlete give more to campus than a musician? How about a musician compared to a strict academic? A Rubik’s cube expert? </p>
<p>Now, affirmative action is its own debate, which has been had many times over on the CC boards (and everywhere else). Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the U of C is open about its affirmative action practices. Is it wrong to try to attract minorities to campus? Is it wrong to use scholarships to bring students to campus who wouldn’t otherwise attend? How about the fact that increased diversity, in all ways, adds to every student’s experience on campus? </p>
<p>How heavily do you think these factors should be considered? I don’t have a problem personally with scholarships used to attract certain students to campus who would in some way add to the campus community who may otherwise choose a different institution. This is a weaker version of what you originally said, that merit aid is used as a back door way to persuade students to attend, while implying that these students do not actually “deserve” the scholarships. What factors do you think make someone deserving? </p>
<p>From the website:
The U of C does not say that merit scholarships are only given for academic reasons. In fact, they say that other, non-academic factors are considered. I do not think that the U of C is misleading anyone about what the scholarships are or how they’re chosen. </p>
<p>I do think it’s going too far to say that the faculty who awards scholarships does so based on race or a coach’s request, though these factors are likely considered alongside many other factors.</p>