An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right
The Color of College
A completely non-scientific survey of the racial composition of “elite” versus “non-elite” private colleges and universities. “Elite” colleges measured were Amherst, Brown, Carleton, Chicago, Duke, Harvard, Pomona, Stanford, Swarthmore, Williams, and Yale. The “Non-elites” were Allegheny, Beloit, Bennington, Boston University, Drexel, Goucher, Seton Hall, St. Olaf, Tulsa, Villanova, and Wake Forest. All fine schools, mind you — just not the absolute highest of the high.
By and large, the data showed that elite schools were far more diverse — even excluding Asians — from their more mainstream peers. The gap was particularly noticeable in smaller schools, but it was still significant across the board.
3 Responses to “The Color of College”
As a guy who went to one of the “elite” colleges, I have to say that minorities have very mixed experiences; to a large extent they’re there to give the rich kids the “enrichment” experience of being around people who aren’t like them. Of course, sheltered preppies don’t really know how to handle it, and the minorities often have a rough time. Oddly, the really rich kids are cooler, and it’s the grasping upper-middle class kids who are scared of their own shadows, not to mention a black face, and act aloof.
Minorities may also have a hard time at elite schools, and this tracks with my personal experience, because the cultural barriers to networking and acceptance in the highest levels of society often become more pronounced. It’s easier to see what’s on the other side of the glass ceiling when you’re right up there pressed against it, which can be a frustrating experience.
Blacks See Growing Values Gap Between Poor and Middle Class; Optimism about Black Progress Declines
(Pew report)
This is interesting, but I can’t get a handle on what it means.
Diversity in ivy league schools is a good thing, IMO.
Even if they have a hard time, like Beaverton says, If monorities are a presence in sufficicient numbers, then they have a chance to develop their own support and networking groups.
It would be interesting to know why samller, more mainstream, colleges differ. I
s it because ivy league schools promote diversity more actively at the administration level?