Could It Possibly Be True? Wealthy Kids Get P…P…Preference in Admissions?
From John F. Kennedy Jr. '83 to Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark '86, Brown has always attracted high-profile applicants. Inside Higher Ed (citing a new book by Wall Street Journal admissions superreporter Daniel Golden) has the story of how one applicant with a famous last name allegedly got in:
When then-Hollywood übermogul Michael Ovitz's son wanted to enroll in 1999 ... Brown admissions officers found the academic record of the younger Ovitz not close to what would be appropriate for an offer of admission. But they were pressured to admit him anyway, with top administrators far more concerned about the abilities of the elder Ovitz - to host receptions for Brown administrators to raise money, to bring movie stars to campus, and presumably to help build Brown's endowment.
Though Ovitz's son was admitted, under special status, he didn't last long at Brown and left. Ovitz's daughter followed, apparently with more success. And Brown also gained, as the book describes Brown President Ruth Simmons gushing over Ovitz for arranging a campus appearance in which he appeared with Dustin Hoffman, and for hosting a reception for her at Ovitz's Brentwood mansion.
There's more in Golden's book on Harvard's use of the "Z List" -- a special group of 25 to 50 kids from known wealthy families whose transcripts aren't quite up to snuff for normal admittance. They're encouraged to apply again in a year -- with the understanding that Mom and Dad will make a big donation in the meantime.
Scandalous! If something you've been 99 percent sure of turning out to be 100 percent certain can be scandalous. Maybe it's that the expose is personal this time. We know someone who just got into Brown under suspicious circumstances, and, well ... we're just ashamed of her.
Silver Spoon Admissions [IHE]
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September 6th, 2006 at 8:01 am
Please — let’s not forget John D. Rockefeller, Jr., class of 1898!
September 6th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
REPORTER TO IVIES: ADMIT MORE LEGACIES LIKE ME!
Much has already been made of yesterday’s in-depth Inside Higher Ed book-review-cum-article on the extent of “silver-spoon” admissions at elite universities. Feigned outrage and mock shock have been expressed, denials made, and defenses mounted. Now that
September 6th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
I think this is probably blown out of proportion a bit, and I do not believe that there is anything here that the public does not know on a general basis. I also believe that this book has a basic flaw–I believe that a distinction can and should be drawn between admitting legacy applicants at a higher rate and admitting children of the rich/famous with no obvious tie to a university. Alumni bring a lot of value to a university — money, governance, positive publicity, a history and strong attachment to the alma mater.
Also, legacy applicants are, on the whole, as qualified as the rest of the typical applicant pool. So, on balance, I believe it is defensible for a university to admit legacy candidates in a disproportionate percentage. Also, there is no question that universities are like other for profit and not for profit institutions in that they want to survive and grow. It takes money, fame and public connections to maintain the quality and reputation of a top university — and it is becoming more competitive for the top universities to attract talent, research dollars, students and scholars.
The one point to make about the Ovitz story is that at least his son was kicked out of Brown when he couldn’t handle the work and academic requirements.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:26 am
I know people who were put on the ‘Z list’ and they weren’t expected to give a dime.