More introspective essays and questions frame the new LSA
admissions application that went into effect yesterday. The changes
are part of an effort to help the University ascertain more about a
student's background in order to build a diverse freshman
class.

The revisions were brought upon by June's Supreme Court rulings,
which upheld the Law School's system for using race as a factor in
admissions, but struck down the LSA system, which gave up to 20
points out of a possible 150 to every underrepresented
minority.

The new process eliminates the controversial point system and
allows for a more individualized review of an applicant's file,
similar to the Law School's system.

The University is in the middle of hiring 16 readers, mostly
former professors and retired teachers. These readers will give
applications a first read and then make a recommendation of
acceptance, deferral or denial. Next, a professional admissions
counselor will give a second blind review and make a subsequent
recommendation. Final decisions will then be made by a senior-level
admissions manager, using the two recommendations as supplementary.
If that person is unable to make a decision, the application will
be forwarded to an seven- or eight-person admissions review
committee.

University Provost Paul Courant said many facets of the old
admissions process remain intact, with grades and standardized test
scores maintaining a high priority in admissions criteria. In
addition, a large number of non-academic factors such as geographic
location, socio-economic background and race will remain
significant in the admissions process.

"All students must be able to perform at a very high level of
academic achievement," Courant said in a press conference
Thursday.

In order to assess students more individually, as mandated by
the Supreme Court, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions revised
the application to obtain more specific information about an
applicant's experiences. Whereas in the past, applicants had to
complete one long essay question, they now have a choice of three
questions, tailored to finding out feelings and thoughts of
applicants. Students must also answer several short questions
ranging from their favorite book to experiences about cultural
diversity. There is also a new optional essay where applicants are
allowed to include anything they feel might not have been reflected
in their application.

"What we're looking for is insight," LSA Dean Terrence McDonald
said. "This is really what a liberal arts college is all
about."

Decisions will still be made on a rolling basis. Notifications
should be made from November to April.

Student leaders reacted with mixed feelings toward the new
policies. While they were pleased about the University's efforts to
maintain a diverse campus, they expressed concerns about the
ability of the high school students to answer the new questions as
well as disappointment at the lack of student involvement during
the formation process.

"I am concerned that high school students applying for
admissions will not have the necessary understanding of their own
experiences and be able to convey that in the new applications,"
United Asian-American Organizations Co-chair Avani Kothary said.
"As an Asian-American student, I came to understand the importance
of my own identity only after starting school at the University and
really experiencing what diversity truly means."

Also, several new optional questions regarding an applicant's
socio-economic status and his parents' educational background have
been added.

The admissions office is currently in the process of hiring 16
part-time readers and five more professional counselors to handle
the increased amount of work. With more than 25,000 applicants per
year, staff members must average reading around 15 applications per
workday between September and February. Courant said these
endeavors have cost the University around $1.5 million and the
administration is prepared to spend more if necessary.

"If it turns out that we are falling behind, which I don't
expect, I have told admissions that we will bring on more people,"
Courant said. "It's a crucial part of our educational mission to
receive a diverse class."

Richard Black, assistant vice chancellor of undergraduate
admissions at the University of California in Berkeley, said
although he needs to find out more information about the new
application, readers at Berkeley handle a slightly higher daily
load.

"It seems an entirely reasonable way to proceed," Black
said.

When asked whether the new plan could pass legal muster if the
University were sued again, General Counsel Marvin Krislov
said,

"We are as sure as we can be sure about anything in today's
world."