Harvard Students Are Better Than You

The article discusses the complexities and contradictions surrounding elite college admissions, particularly at Harvard University, in the context of the recent end of affirmative action. The author expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of colorblindness in admissions and highlights how holistic admissions processes can obscure biases, particularly against Asian-American applicants. The piece argues that Harvard's admissions criteria are designed to maintain its elite status, often prioritizing factors beyond academic merit, such as social connections and race. The author reflects on the historical context of admissions practices, noting that as societal values shift, so too do the definitions of merit and elite status. The article critiques the hypocrisy of elite institutions that advocate for inclusivity while simultaneously enforcing exclusivity, suggesting that true egalitarianism would require a fundamental restructuring of these institutions. Ultimately, the author posits that Harvard's reputation as the pinnacle of academic excellence is maintained through selective admissions that favor certain demographics over others, perpetuating systemic inequalities.

- The end of affirmative action raises questions about fairness in elite college admissions.

- Holistic admissions processes can obscure biases, particularly against Asian-American applicants.

- Harvard's admissions criteria prioritize factors beyond academic merit to maintain its elite status.

- The article critiques the hypocrisy of elite institutions advocating for inclusivity while enforcing exclusivity.

- Historical shifts in societal values influence the definitions of merit and elite status in college admissions.