Elite College Admissions: Favoring the Rich, Obstacles for the Middle-Class

A new analysis from Opportunity Insights, a group of economists at Harvard University, reveals that Ivy League colleges and other elite institutions admit children from the top 1% of U.S. income earners at more than twice the rate of students from any other income group with similar SAT or ACT scores. Middle-class students with high academic performance are among the least likely to gain admission to these prestigious colleges. The study suggests that these institutions could increase socioeconomic diversity by ending legacy admissions and considering non-academic qualities that account for privilege. The findings highlight the perpetuation of privilege across generations and the limited opportunities for middle-income students to rise to leadership positions.