An interesting read, as always! Thank you.

I agree with a lot of what you’re saying, especially about the fallacy of meritocracy. More on that below.

But if I’ve understood what you’re saying about college admissions correctly, I think I have a different take: I’m not sure we have a problem with college admissions. I’m a high school teacher, and I can’t remember the last student I met who would have gone to college if only they’d been admitted. Everybody gets admitted to college. Most people who apply to four year schools get into at least one, and those whose high school transcripts are spottier can go to community college. And importantly, all of those schools produce well educated, employable, happy people.

Of course, there are many students who would have gone to college if only they could have afforded it. Both in terms of the direct college expenses, and because of the opportunity cost of not working those hours they’re studying. That happens all the time, but it’s a different (albeit very important) problem.

So my two thoughts are this:

One, I think that fault is in the minds of the comparatively few students who insist on defining success as synonymous with getting in to any of the “top” ten or so colleges. These students and their families could quit that obsession anytime, still go to a great school, and go on to lead very happy lives. And it really is just a few students: leave the Bay Area (or other wealthy metropolitan areas) and this problem is not on anyone’s radar.

(“Could quit that obsession anytime?” Ok that’s an exaggeration. They need help quitting. I feel for them. But we convinced an entire generation to quit smoking, and this isn’t as hard as that. Just takes careful messaging.)

Two, what you’re saying about meritocracy is super important. It makes me think of the “DEI hires” that so many have been complaining about. What I’ve realized recently is that we’re all DEI hires, or as good as. I’m a white cis man, and have a fantastically well paying job in education. I got it 21 years ago because a family friend put my name forward when my school needed an intern. When I started I was well meaning, hard working, and not very good at it. But I was given room to make mistakes, and I improved. How many others are like that as well? Meritocracy schmeritocracy.

Thanks for posting!