Bush, Edwards Condemn "Legacy" College Admissions

More than a wry smile was raised when the great legacy admission, President George W. Bush, came out and condemned legacy admission points. He said, in so may words, that college admissions should be based on merit rather than on lineage. It was less humorous when Senator John Edwards, the first in his family to attend college, made the same case. In truth, legacy admissions do nothing but lower a university's talent pool, although they may enhance donations.

Those who do not understand American university admissions processes are often stunned to learn that an applicant has a better chance of getting admitted to "Whatsamatta U" if dear old dad and granddad attended WU too. Not that this is done with a nod and a wink, as would be procedure elsewhere. but rather, one is asked on the application form if there are family alumni, and points toward admission are overtly, formally awarded.

Now, truth be told, Mr. Bush did benefit from having a father and a grandfather graduate from the Ivy League. The 43rd president attended Harvard Business School in large part thanks to his family ties to the institution. He failed to gain admission to the University of Texas law school, which was his first choice, and it is no coincidence that no Bush has ever studied there before his failed attempt.

That Mr. Bush benefited from legacy points is almost certain. However, those who call him a hypocrite now on the matter miss the point. Nothing can undo the past, but there is no reason for future admissions to rely on legacies. It would be as silly to condemn the Ivy Leaguers in congress who voted for the GI Bill that made college possible for millions who otherwise would not have been able to study anywhere.

The question of merit opens another kettle of fish containing such issues as affirmative action, geographic diversity, athletic and artistic talent. The ideal that the students with the highest grades get to attend the best university is, at best, an unattainable ideal. After all, the best university is subjective. While Harvard and Yale might be fine schools, the winters of New England can twist even the purest soul. However, choices ought not to run in the family any more than genius does. And that happens quite rarely.


© Copyright 2004 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent.


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