What Role Do Admissions Office Diversity and Practices Play in Equitable Decisions?

• In Event: Reforming College Admissions Policies: Evidence From Institutional Data and Perspectives From Admissions Officers

Abstract

Attending and graduating from a selective college or university conveys notable advantages throughout one’s life. However, the admissions decision-making processes at these institutions are poorly understood, especially the factors that may shape decisions for low-SES or other underrepresented applicants. This paper draws upon a unique national study of 311 admissions officers working at selective institutions who read several simulated college admissions files. According to multilevel analyses with numerous predictors, admissions officers from some privileged groups provide less favorable admissions recommendations for a low-SES applicant relative to higher-SES applicants. Therefore, equitable decision making may be a product not only of admissions office practices, but also of the employees who make admissions recommendations.

Authors

• Nicholas A. Bowman, University of Iowa

• Michael Bastedo, University of Michigan