Affirmative Action: Poor Policy, Poor Results

6 Pages 1593 Words

te students per year in order to keep “quota spaces” empty. The affirmative action policy is wrong.
In 1996 Harvard University rejected hundreds of applicants of valedictorians by white males. The reason many of these very talented students were rejected was so as to leave spaces open for minority students (“Affirmative Action” n. p.). The college admissions process was designed in order for universities to find potential students who are qualified to be admitted into their program. The admissions process is hindered by the affirmative action policy. Academic success, athletic talent, and service to our communities are no longer the only factors used by college admissions officers. Racial background has now become a very important factor in determining admission. According to a study done by News Week magazine, certain institutions do not even look at white male applicants until their quota of minorities have been filled (Rinder n. p.). Is reverse discrimination what “equal opportunity” implies? Thousands of white males are being discriminated against each day and our society brushes it off declaring it “equal opportunity” (Zelnick 10-13). Is the affirmative action policy fair...