What changes could improve the college admissions process?

I'm a bit confused by the current college admissions system. What do you think could make the process more fair and transparent for students? Are there any aspects that universities are currently trying to change or improve?

While there's a lot of variation in college admissions and each institution sets its own policies, there are certainly some widespread practices that could be reevaluated to improve transparency and equity.

One aspect often debated is the use of standardized tests scores. They were originally intended to identify talented students from less privileged backgrounds, but they've increasingly correlated with income, as wealthier families can afford extensive test prep. Some colleges have decided to go test-optional, which allows students to decide whether to report their scores or not. This can help because it reduces emphasis on a single metric in admissions.

Another area of concern is the cost associated with applying to college. This includes not only application fees, but also the cost of sending test scores, and visiting the campus. Implementing policies to reduce or waive these costs for students with demonstrated financial need would help level the playing field.

When it comes to transparency, colleges could do more to state clearly what they value in applicants and how different parts of the application are weighed. Some colleges do provide this information, but it's not universal and can be hard to find.

Further, colleges could look into adding value to vocational and technical careers in high school. Not all students wish to pursue a traditionally academic path, and those who choose paths like vocational training or technical education should have their work recognized and valued.

Equity in admissions also reaches beyond wealth and includes race, disability, etc. Holistic admissions review, which means carefully considering each part of an applicant’s profile, can be a more inclusive model. However, this approach also comes with challenges and potential biases, and requires constant work and reflection to ensure fairness.

Lastly, early deadlines could also be reconsidered. While Early Decision and Early Action have their benefits, they can disadvantage students who are less familiar with the college admissions process or who need more time to prepare their applications. Admissions process timelines could be restructured to allow all students ample time to submit their best applications.

So, while different universities have adopted different approaches to tackle the shortcomings of the current admissions system, there's still a lot of room for improvement. The decentralised and competitive nature of US college admissions makes systemic changes challenging, but conversation and criticism are the first steps to reform.