The Chosen: The Hidden History of Admission and Exclusion at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton

Sometimes the right kind of view of a small part of something can illuminate the rest. This magisterial history of admissions at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton is also a history of class in America, the concept and implementation of meritocracy, ethnic divisions, educational thought, and probably more things I haven't thought of. It's especially appealing for Big Three alumni, but it's worth reading if you are interested in any of those things. I try to give 5 stars sparingly, but this book deserves them.

"It is no exaggeration to say that the current regime in elite college admissions has been far more successful in democratizing anxiety than opportunity."

Its hardest to get in to these universities if you are a totally brilliant middle class white kid and being Jewish can be a minus point (over-represented according to some recruiters, this also is beginning to apply to Asians). Its easier if you are from a poor or really rich background or are a top notch athlete. Easier still if you are Native American or are of other under-represented ethnic minority. If you happen to be at least part Carib Indian, brought up in the islands, a pretty damn good athlete and have American nationality you will be considered an absolute prize to the Ivy show more Leagues seeking to show their diversity. So my friend's daughter has her pick of the big three if she chooses that route.

No system is free of bias and without doubt these schools select for rich white kids, especially the children or relatives of alumni, politicians and notables and the very wealthy. But at least they have sizeable minorities of kids from normal backgrounds these days. Maybe one day selection will be done by computers on grades and various other attributes like athleticism, talents and ambitions and have nothing whatsover to do with the parents background whether ethnic or economic. One can but hope. show less

Try at all costs to avoid being white and male because you are screwed if you want in at the Ivy League - only about 40% of students at Harvard are white and - get this - hidden within that percentage are Jews who are about 70% of that 40% of whites which means, just as predicted by the Ivy League administrations back in (circa) the 1920s, Jews, who are currently the presidents of every Ivy League University, have essentially eliminated the people who conceived, created and funded those institutions. Oy vey.