Looking beyond grades: Students' 1.

Are you personally satisfied

stories impress admissions with the education you
received? Why or why not?
The Boston Globe Do you think you could have
By Peter Schworm, adapted by Rob Ouwehand been more successful in a
different system?
The admissions team at Tufts University admitted a 2. Do you think personal
young engineer who built a wooden catapult in his history should be considered
in a university application?
backyard. Amherst College opened the door to a
3. Should students from a
Bangladeshi immigrant who had flunked gym class but difficult background get
founded a newspaper about economics. They also let in a special consideration?
math-lover who canʼt sleep when he canʼt solve a problem. 4. Should students who are
While academics are important, the schools also look for a active in clubs or groups be
something special: talent, determination, or personality. chosen over students with
high scores?
5. Should Korean universities
High school seniors wonder how top schools choose their be totally free to create their
students, so The Boston Globe observed Tufts and own entrance requirements?
Amherstʼs process, and saw a complex system that is 6. What are the pros and cons
analytical and intuitive, impartial and personal, all at of using each of these things
the same time. They also showed how often intangible for university entrance?
a. interview
qualities are the deciding factor.
b. application essay
c. reference letters
Once everyone is above a certain level, academics no d. KSAT scores
longer help to separate candidates: 2200 students were e. high school grades
admitted on pure academic achievement, but 1100 spaces f. extracurricular activities
remained, with 10 000 more applicants competing for g. special achievements
h. family connections or
them. To choose between them, the committee looks into
family donations
applicantsʼ personalities, in an often exhausting process. i. school rank (quality or
reputation of high school
Some students are quickly eliminated: a girl with a weak they attended)
academic record is out, so is a top student with no extra- 7. If you were a university
curricular activities. Tufts University looks at personality, president, what
requirements would you use
intelligence, diligence, curiosity, leadership, and ambition:
to choose which students to
academic achievement is only one thing on the list. They admit, or reject?
often prefer choosing low-income and minority students 8. What do you think needs to
who overcome obstacles to excel. The student whose change the most, to improve
application includes a touching story about caring for his Koreaʼs education system?
disabled brother in a low-income home is a unanimous a. too much focus on tests
(especially the KSAT)
selection.
b. too much competition
c. the rich have an unfair
Another student is a tough choice: sheʼs hearing-impaired, advantage because of
and from a low-income neighborhood, but her grades are private schooling
only so-so. Finally, they set her case aside to look at it d. not enough government
again another time. The college is trying hard to admit spending on education
e. the hiring process for
more students from poor and working-class
teachers is flawed
neighborhoods. Their stories are often inspiring, and f. something else...
though the panel has to make a lot of tough choices, they
are proud to give talented students a chance to achieve
their dreams.

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