Teenagers perceive increasing selectiveness
In response to The Diamondback’s editorial about the university’s $38,000 marketing campaign in New York (“An in-state struggle,” Nov. 29), I have to commend the view held by the staff. As someone who spends regular time with local high school students through a non-profit organization for teens, Young Life, I see the perceived inaccessibility of this school first-hand.
This time of year marks the frenzied application process for high school seniors throughout the nation. After asking my teens where they planned to apply to college, my next natural question was, “Are you going to apply to Maryland?” Overwhelmingly, they immediately exclaimed, “I couldn’t get in there!” Many of these teenagers were excellent students with GPAs over 3.5. They play on athletic teams of all kinds and attend countless other after-school activities, often racking up hundreds of community-service hours.
I consider myself one of this university’s biggest fans. I could not be happier with my choice to attend a school that is quickly becoming one of the best in the nation. I want other students to have the same chance I did. Let’s change the local status quo and let these teenagers know they have what it takes.
Taylor Atkinson
Senior
Communication
In-state applicants in no danger from New York ads; lowering standards to admit more locals would lower quality
In response to yesterday’s editorial “An in-state struggle,” I must say I am surprised at The Diamondback editorial board’s conclusions. The editorial was extremely short-sighted and blatantly illogical.
First, by state law, the university is capped on the percentage of out-of-state students it is able to enroll. If my memory serves me correctly, that number is about 30 percent of the total enrollment. Thus, a marketing campaign to attract more out-of-state students to apply to the university isn’t going to hinder an in-state student’s ability to get that valuable spot at our dear institution.
Additionally, out-of-state students pay more than twice the tuition of in-state students, which figures to be more than the average cost of educating a student, giving the institution’s coffers much-needed revenue in their recent energy-budget crisis.
The Diamondback can’t have it both ways. You can’t be part of a top university in the nation that is extremely selective and then complain the school is too selective. What does The Diamondback advocate here? Lower admission standards? I guarantee very few students support such a notion.
Access is very important, especially in the case of lower-income families and applicants in tough neighborhoods where potential students have to overcome many difficult struggles. Sacrificing quality, however, is not the answer.
Look at the California model of higher education. The California system has both access and quality but you don’t see Berkeley lowering its standards. That’s because the California State University system, the University of California system and the California Community College system are set up so each school accepts the appropriate applicant. College Park should be a Berkeley – and it can be.
Marylanders should and must have the first crack at our own state’s flagship school. But do not criticize the marketing and admissions departments for a progressive and intelligent decision in trying to persuade the best and the brightest from around the nation to call Maryland their home and College Park their alma mater.
Aaron Kraus
Class of 2005
SGA President ’04-’05
