Leave It to the Sociologists...

John Rosenberg

Crossposted from Discriminations:

Who else but sociologists would think a paper arguing that “black and Latino students with academic credentials equal to those of white students are slightly more likely than their white counterparts to apply to and enroll at selective colleges” is noteworthy enough to present at a discipline’s annual convention?

Might that unsurprising fact be because blacks are smart enough to realize that they have a much better chance of being admitted to selective colleges than similarly qualified whites or Asians? The authors haven’t, or at least don’t present, a clue.

The study analyzed academic preparation without regard to the impact of affirmative action on admissions decisions. So to the extent admissions patterns vary by racial and ethnic groups at some institutions, the analysis did not factor that in.

It seems to me that the application patterns uncovered here (were they really hidden?) is quite rational, but maybe rational behavior is newsworthy in some sociological circles.

  • Share

Most Commented

May 20, 2025

1.

How Female is Campus Anti-Semitism?

The anecdotal evidence is starting to pile up while academia’s thesis that white men are source of evil continues to crumble....

March 31, 2025

2.

Keeping Watch

Columbia's descent into chaos is by its own hand. Actions to right the university must be swift and tough....

March 24, 2025

3.

A Reckoning for Higher Education?

Are American colleges and universities finally getting their comeuppance?...

Most Read

May 20, 2025

1.

How Female is Campus Anti-Semitism?

The anecdotal evidence is starting to pile up while academia’s thesis that white men are source of evil continues to crumble....

May 15, 2015

2.

Where Did We Get the Idea That Only White People Can Be Racist?

A look at the double standard that has arisen regarding racism, illustrated recently by the reaction to a black professor's biased comments on Twitter....

October 12, 2010

3.

Ask a Scholar: What is the True Definition of Latino?

What does it mean to be Latino? Are only Latin American people Latino, or does the term apply to anyone whose language derived from Latin?...