The Automation of College Admissions Perpetuates an Inequitable System to Access Higher Education

• In Event: College Access Issues and Concerns

Abstract

Many institutions use predictive analytics to create a first-year class. However, the automation of admissions risks perpetuating systemic racism by relying solely on data to guide recruitment, financial aid, and acceptance.
This study demystifies the enrollment management process through a qualitative approach from interviews with over a dozen enrollment managers, institutional membership associations, and researchers. The findings reveal that students of color are disproportionately not recruited or denied acceptance based on algorithms that do not consider students’ humanity. Rather, colleges use data points that are highly correlated to race and socioeconomic factors to make these decisions.
Using the Iron Triangle as a theoretical framework, the study highlights some contributing factors to the racial inequities within enrollment management, while providing recommendations.

Authors

• Monique Ositelu, New America

• Alejandra Acosta