Student Life

Need-blind admissions should be a priority

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By Staff Editorial

Posted January 21, 2009 at 6:22 pm

Even in the midst of economic uncertainty, it is important to analyze the deeper values and principles of education rather than to make decisions on the basis on finance. When it comes to admissions, Washington University has always faced a dilemma: Should it consider the applicants’ ability to pay for their educations, which would allow the University to commit to meeting the financial needs of all admitted students, or look at applications blind to the applicants’ needs, without considering their ability to pay, possibly making it impossible to fully meet each applicant’s need? This is a false dichotomy. At its root, the University’s mission is to educate students so that they can responsibly participate in bettering the world. This commitment to education extends to all people on the basis of merit and regardless of background, and funding this commitment should be the University’s first priority.

It may be true that the University only considers an applicant’s financial background as a negative factor in a small number of cases. But as a University committed to the ideal of educating people who have earned admission to the University, it is important that the University adopt need-blind admissions policy in order to make a statement about its ideologicapl beliefs. And even though only small number of students may be rejected because of their parents’ finances, it is still unjust discrimination that has lasting implications for the students affected; this is still a practice that significantly undermines the University’s commitment to its mission. Even if it is small, it is still discrimination based on socioeconomic status, a wrong the University must correct.

With a smaller endowment revenue and donors who have informed the University they are uncertain if they can contribute in the future, now is certainly a difficult time for Wash. U. to adopt a need-blind admissions policy. Adopting a need-blind admissions policy would certainly require some sacrifice. But on a deeper level, now is the most important time for the University to announce a policy on considering applicants regardless of their financial need. Adopting this policy in a time of economic uncertainty would serve to erase doubt about the University’s priorities and serve as a reassurance to both students and applicants that they will have the opportunity to receive the highest-quality education regardless of their financial circumstances.

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