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Racial and Ethnic Preference in College Admissions. Brookings Policy Briefs.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Racial and Ethnic Preference in College Admissions. Brookings Policy Briefs.
Language: English
Authors: Kane, Thomas J., Dickens, William T., Brookings Institution, Washington, DC.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 1996
Document Type: Information Analyses
Descriptors: Admission Criteria, Affirmative Action, Blacks, College Admission, Colleges, Educational Policy, Higher Education, Labor Market, Racial Discrimination, Selective Colleges, State Legislation, Whites
Geographic Terms: California
Abstract: This paper examines the use of racial and ethnic preferences in college admissions, focusing on the extent of their use and their impact on the careers of the intended beneficiaries in light of the California Civil Rights Initiative, which is designed to end such preferences. A study by Kane (1995) found that at the most selective four-year colleges students with the average academic characteristics of those applying had a 60 percent chance of being admitted if they were white, an 87 percent chance of being admitted if they were black, and a 75 percent chance if they were Hispanic. At non-elite schools, however, students with the same characteristics had approximately the same chances of being admitted. Contrary to the assurances of many of its opponents, racial preference does not appear to do more harm than good for minority youth. Rather, selective institutions seem to enhance the earnings prospects and raise the college completion rates of both minority and nonminority youth who are admitted. While audit studies continue to suggest that discrimination lingers in the labor market, it still remains to be seen whether the benefits of preferences are worth the costs being imposed on the youth in nonpreferred groups. (MDM)
Entry Date: 1997
Accession Number: ED407916
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This paper examines the use of racial and ethnic preferences in college admissions, focusing on the extent of their use and their impact on the careers of the intended beneficiaries in light of the California Civil Rights Initiative, which is designed to end such preferences. A study by Kane (1995) found that at the most selective four-year colleges students with the average academic characteristics of those applying had a 60 percent chance of being admitted if they were white, an 87 percent chance of being admitted if they were black, and a 75 percent chance if they were Hispanic. At non-elite schools, however, students with the same characteristics had approximately the same chances of being admitted. Contrary to the assurances of many of its opponents, racial preference does not appear to do more harm than good for minority youth. Rather, selective institutions seem to enhance the earnings prospects and raise the college completion rates of both minority and nonminority youth who are admitted. While audit studies continue to suggest that discrimination lingers in the labor market, it still remains to be seen whether the benefits of preferences are worth the costs being imposed on the youth in nonpreferred groups. (MDM)