<p>So, Jazzman, what about the poor white kid from Harlem? He survives under the same social and economic conditions as the black kid, yet is not afforded the priviledges of Affirmative Action.</p>
<p>This question comes up often. I never claimed that the only people who grew up in harlem were black, nor that the only kids who live in the burbs are white, and i would hope that college admissions reps would take consideration to a persons situation regardless of race. I do think, however, that it is a safe bet to assume that the majority of people living in harlem would be poor minorities, as unfortunate as that is.</p>
<p>I come from a town that is 96% white (i know its terrible, stifiling, although there is not a lot of racism as far as i can tell, except with the rednecks who live in the country side) and i understand that i got rejected from schools where people with lower stats got in on affirmative action, but i can tell you this…my high school career has been a breeze. I have not had to ever worry about money, violence, or had any kind of instability (not that my life hasnt had its share of experiences that i learned a GREAT deal from), but i could always go to sleep at night knowing that i would wake up tomorrow, have a breakfast, and get a ride to school. And to the people who grew up without that security i think its fair to recognize that and i think its fair to assume that the majority of those people are coming from minorities.</p>
<p>Ok, that’s great, but you completely avoided my question. If you can sufficiently answer that question, then Affirmative Action is effective.</p>
<p>Look i never said it was perfect. If the white kid from harlem gets screwed (admissions people dont take his situation into acount) that sucks, its a flaw in the system, but i dont think you can argue against affirmative action based on a small inequity.</p>
<p>jazzman - affirmative action is a racial preference program that has been implemented because but for affirmative action the percentages of certain minorities, particularly African Americans, would be astoundingly low at most all of our competitive universities. Unfortunately, that is the state of affairs. And this is distressing because the black educational gap has become worse, and not better, since the Civil Rights era. There are a multitude of reasons for it, and pointing out is not tantamount to blaming the “victims”. </p>
<p>I do see some value in diversity, particularly if it is done well and qualified people come on board. To the extent that people get admitted with considerably more than a thumb on the scale, so to speak, (and that has happened), then problems will arise. Perhaps the most rational and fair minded discussion would revolve around just how large or heavy that “thumb on the scale” should be. I am not sure what it is either, but an open presentation of the data by schools might further that discussion.</p>
<p>mam, could you educate me on how the black educational gap has become worse since the civil rights era (stats maybe), and could you also share some of those “multitude of reasons”? I guess I’ve just been under the impression that the gap was narrowing recently and that AA was a contributor, but I could definitely be wrong on that. I could read this all in a book I’m sure, but I like saving time so could you give me the sparknotes version?</p>
<p>Well, when you grow up in the inner-city like I have first off being “smart” isn’t necessarily always the “cool thing”. When you look around you see a bunch of negativity and lots of kids are lost in that and there parents are really not always much of a use because they are the children of the “crack epidemic era”. Toss that in with incredibly limited oppurtunities and you have a problem. I mean your average suburban high school compared to the averaged public high school in New York City is like comparing the State Uni to the local community college. Plus we have a bunch of teachers who really don’t care what we do. It’s not all on the teachers, but the students around here need to be taught differently. Rarely is there that teacher that genuinely wants to make a difference in your life and will go beyond the requirements to do that which is what is needed when guns are as accessible as books. Kids have that messed up mentality that they need to either be an athlete or entertainer to succeed. </p>
<p>They need to have educational value instilled in them from youth, but is the school really responsible for being parents? The numbers do not like though. The dropout rate for latinos and african-americans in places like NYC is right around 50%. It doesn’t help that our programs are constantly cut because we are underfunded and these programs are the only reason some kids see to come to school. There really should be no limit on educational spending by the government. I’m only barely hitting this subject.</p>
<p>thats a good idea, have the government throw more money at a problem which money cannot solve…public schools should be run by private companies, that would mean insentive to perform well on both the teachers’ and the administrations’ part, and greater efficiency…i say let the free market do its thing with public schools and we would all be better off.</p>
<p>Deviating from the current topic…</p>
<p>Since I got in, I’ll post my stats:</p>
<p>Applied to LSA in late September, deferred in November, waitlisted in April
Accepted: 5/12
SAT: 2130
GPA: 3.3 UW 7 AP’s (around 3.0 UMich GPA)
Hardest Courseload</p>
<p>How can you say the educational gap is worse now than before the civil rights? The whole idea of seperate but equal was wrong and to say that today the education gap for blacks and whites is worse than the seperate but equal jim crowe schools is ridiculous.</p>
<p>Great news CCRunner…congrats! Curious…In-S or OOS? Legacy? EC’s? (assume X-Country?)</p>
<p>To the person who said that throwing money into the education system is a waste cannot be fixed I respectfully disagree. I even can see where your coming from, but I have seen great changes occur in students if they have teachers with interest in them and a system that pushes them. I think the problem is the public school system isn’t made to accomodate these kids in these situations. I know most of it falls on the individual, but if you really want themt o be productive members of society something has to be done. I can’t say I have the plan or the blueprint, but even if you say more money shouldn’t be poured in…they are underfunded to begin with so they deserve that money. My high school is ranked second in the state and we are in the inner-city but it’s like a selective public school opposed to this school Barrington which is number one and all these blue and white-collared people. No matter how well we do that funding from the government is scarce it makes me wonder if our parents were richer would things not be different.</p>
<p>How can you say the educational gap is worse now than before the civil rights? The whole idea of seperate but equal was wrong and to say that today the education gap for blacks and whites is worse than the seperate but equal jim crowe schools is ridiculous.</p>
<hr>
<p>Your speaking from your heart and I’m speaking from facts…the numbers don’t lie. I never said that things are worse that jim crow south…but that doesn’t mean that things are great by any means. The American public school system is failing all peoples anyway. 1/3 of students dropout. The whole thing needs an overhaul.</p>
<p>I’m out of state and two of my sisters attended or are currently attending Michigan.</p>
<p>CCRunner, don’t DC residents get in-state tuition at all state universities accross the nation?</p>
<p>All DC residents get $10,000 towards any state university in the US, which is why my list of colleges consisted primarily of public schools.</p>
<p>So, I guess it would cost me about $29,000 or something along those lines.</p>
<p>Whoa!!! Are You Serious? Living In Washington D.c. You Get $10 000 To Go To Any (public) College!~@%^&* Holy …</p>
<p>Well, it makes perfect sense, DC has no state school, unless you count UDC, which is a community college.</p>
<p>Yeah I didn’t know that until I met the kids in my hall from DC this past year. I was wondering why so many kids were from DC given its size, and they told me since public schools are cheaper, they tend to pick the best one, which, course we know, is Michigan :-)</p>