"Study Reveals Wealthy Children's Overrepresentation in Elite Universities"

A study conducted by Opportunity Insights, a group of Harvard researchers, found that children from the top 1% financially are more than twice as likely to attend elite universities compared to middle-class families with similar SAT and ACT scores. The study analyzed admissions data, income tax records, and test scores from 1999 to 2015. The research revealed that legacy admissions, nonacademic credentials, and athletic recruitment contribute to this advantage, but do not affect post-university outcomes. Attending elite institutions increases students' chances of reaching the top 1% of income, attending elite graduate schools, and getting employed at prestigious firms. The study suggests that diversifying admissions policies could help address income disparity and promote social mobility.