The Battle for Reshaping the Student Body at Selective Colleges: Government Reform in College Admissions

• In Event: Race, Merit, and Equity in College Admissions

Abstract

This research evaluates a transnationally transferred policy in Korea. Holistic review is one of the most controversial policies which was introduced imitating the admissions system of the U.S. In this research, whether the policy operated as intended and recruited more traditionally disadvantaged students is examined. The study findings suggest that the adoption of holistic admissions contributed to enrolling more marginalized students to some extent. Compared to the colleges which did not adopt holistic admissions, significantly fewer students from independent high schools enrolled at the institutions which voluntarily administered holistic review while more students from public high schools enrolled. Furthermore, more students from rural areas enrolled at more selective institutions subsidized from the government for implementing holistic admissions.

Author

• Heeyun Kim, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor