New Study Reveals Disparities in Ivy-Plus College Admissions

A comprehensive study by economists Raj Chetty, David J. Deming, and John N. Friedman has unveiled significant disparities in the college admissions process, particularly regarding attendance at Ivy-Plus institutions. The research utilizes anonymized data from various colleges, correlating admissions information with income tax records and standardized test scores such as the SAT and ACT.

The findings indicate that children from families in the top 1% of income are more than twice as likely to gain admission to an Ivy-Plus college compared to their middle-class counterparts who achieve similar standardized test scores. Notably, about two-thirds of this disparity can be attributed to higher admissions rates for students from affluent backgrounds, while the remaining third results from differences in application and enrollment rates.

Factors Influencing Admissions Advantage

While children from wealthy families enjoy a significant admissions advantage at Ivy-Plus institutions, this trend does not extend to flagship public colleges, where high-income applicants do not have a similar edge. The three primary factors contributing to the admissions advantage at Ivy-Plus colleges include:

1. Preferences for children of alumni.
2. The importance placed on non-academic credentials.
3. Athletic recruitment practices.

The study employs a novel research design that analyzes idiosyncratic variations in admissions decisions, particularly focusing on waitlisted applicants. This approach reveals the profound impact of attending an Ivy-Plus institution over an average flagship public college. Specifically, students who attend Ivy-Plus colleges increase their likelihood of reaching the top 1% of the earnings distribution by 50%. Additionally, their chances of attending elite graduate schools nearly double, and their prospects of securing positions at prestigious firms increase almost threefold.

The Role of Standardized Testing

Interestingly, the factors that provide children from high-income families an admissions advantage are either uncorrelated or negatively correlated with post-college outcomes. In contrast, academic credentials, particularly standardized test scores like the SAT and ACT, are shown to be strong predictors of success after college. This finding underscores the essential role these scores play in enabling lower-income students to gain access to elite educational opportunities.

The research highlights the ongoing challenges within the college admissions landscape, illuminating the need for continued discussions about equity and access in higher education. As policymakers and educational leaders consider reforms, the implications of this study may serve as a critical reference point in addressing the disparities that exist in college admissions processes today.