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 the Court 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.