scoreboard

I recently came across a story (I originally saw it on Drudge Report), about UCLA and alleged preferential treatment in admissions given to large financial donors to the school. The student newspaper, the Daily Bruin, actually broke the story first. (Which reminds me - why doesn't The Hoya do investigative journalism like this? They only do reactionary stuff, but I digress...)

Anyway, the story in the Daily Bruin basically found that applicants related to donors who gave six-figure gifts were automatically advanced in the admissions process over other students, despite lower test scores and grades. I think the last line of the article (a quote from a UCLA alumnus), sums up pretty much how I feel about this:

"I’m worried about students who don’t come from money, who work their ass off and think, ‘If I work hard, if I do everything right, I should get in,’” McDonald said. “But all of a sudden, guess what? There’s no spot for you because someone else took it because mom and dad have money.”

This story really makes me angry. I've been saying it for several years now (pretty much since I started at the University of Richmond School of Law), that universities are no longer places of education first. Instead, they are places of business, concerned with how much money they bring in from donors, students, and grants from the federal government. It doesn't have to be that way, but it is.

That being said, I guarantee this isn't only happening at UCLA. I am sure there are preferential admissions for students whose parents have money or make large donations at other schools. I'm primarily thinking of two that I attended (and am attending) - University of Richmond and Georgetown. So, I'm not privy to information as to whether my allegation is actually true, but I bet it happens. Of course, money isn't the only reason people are given preferential treatment in admissions decisions (only the most important), but I think other reasons are probably related to money in some manner. For instance, if someone well-known in politics had a son or daughter who decided to apply to one of these schools, I think they'd get in, even if they were poor students. Because, at some point, that person going to the school could mean more money to the school (from a donation).

This may sound like sour grapes, but it isn't. I've gotten into the schools I've wanted to, and am satisfied with them. But the fact that I had to work my butt off to do it, while somone else gets their admission bought for them is just not right in my book.

So, that's my rant on that. Maybe someday money won't buy everything.

Posted by Jeremy Sarnovsky at 05:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's been a while since the last update, so here are a few random thoughts and updates:

1) Classes are going well. I have to say I'm not as afraid now as I was at the beginning of the semester that I would be getting in over my head with two classes and work. I've done fairly well in both classes, although I don't really feel like I've learned much yet in my Software Engineering class. Databases is going well, however, and I'm actually considering focusing in it, and potentially doing a thesis that brings together the world of databases and the legal system (ala LexisNexis and Westlaw).

2) The Wolves are 7-0-0. We had a couple of very close games recently, so it is good to still be undefeated. I feel like the farther away I get from college, the worse of a goaltender I become. I guess when you're not skating 3-4 times a week it is easy to lose a step or two. Wish I could get some more ice time in, but I don't have the time or the money.

3) I'm amazed at the level of whining in student newspapers. Particularily Georgetown's newspaper, The Hoya. Now, in generally students are very active in getting things they don't like changed, and maybe it is worse because the school is in DC, but everytime I read it I just want to throw it away almost immediately. I really don't think these students know how good they have it at this school, and it seems that, based upon the articles written, they think everything should just be handed to them because they say so. I've got news for you: this University is a business. No matter that it was founded on Jesuit principles, like most schools it is more about the money now than the education.

Oh, and they never write about the club sports on campus, which is automatically a huge strike in my book.

4) Prison Break is quite possibly the dumbest show on TV right now (except for most reality shows). Who the hell knows how it got picked up for more than one season, and didn't.

5) I voted in the General Election last week - the first time I've ever voted in a General Election. I've only ever voted in presidential elections, so when I got home early last Tuesday, I decided to go. The polling location is literally a block from our apartment, so why not. Last time I went, the line stretched out the door (for the presidential election). This time, I think I was the only one there voting.

The thing that was most interesting to me were the sheer amount of offices that were uncontested. Honestly, I'd say more than half of the things I voted for had two options: the Democratic Candidate or a Write-In. Heck, maybe next time I'll run for Commonwealth's Attorney. At least I'd have a better chance than the write-in candidates!

6) Lastly, in my free time (ha!), I've been reading a book by Kyle Mills called "Darkness Falls." Initially, I wasn't thrilled with the premise - the descruction of the world's oil field by a voracious bacteria - I have to say it is a pretty damn good book. I'm not much of a fan of thrilers, either, but this one is pretty good. Of course, I'm only about halfway through, so it could always take a turn for the worst.

Posted by Jeremy Sarnovsky at 05:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)