Elon Musk’s recent remarks about the overrated nature of college education strike me as particularly thought-provoking and, frankly, deeply troubling. As someone reflecting on the shifting landscape of education and its societal implications, I can’t help but feel a sense of dissonance when a high-profile Ivy League graduate like Musk suggests that others should bypass this crucial stage of life. His comments echo a growing sentiment among certain circles that higher education is unnecessary, but this notion is fraught with contradictions, especially coming from someone who successfully navigated the elite corridors of academia.
Musk’s description of college education as “overrated” is rooted in the idea that many graduates leave with substantial debt but lack practical skills for the workforce.… Continue reading
As a legacy at a prestigious university, the recent news of California banning legacy admissions in all colleges and universities certainly piqued my interest. The idea of legacy admissions has always been a contentious issue – a system where individuals have an advantage in the admissions process simply because they are the children of alumni. It creates a cycle of privilege that perpetuates inequality and restricts access to higher education for many deserving students.
The arguments in favor of legacy admissions often revolve around the idea of tradition, loyalty, and the benefits that alumni bring to their alma maters. It is true that alumni parents are more likely to donate to their children’s institutions, which can have a positive impact on the financial health of a college or university.… Continue reading
accountability and standardization in the admissions process to ensure that all students are being assessed fairly.
When I heard that Yale will again require standardized test scores for admission, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. The current system of grade inflation at high schools is out of control. I’ve seen firsthand how students can easily game the system with assignments being graded leniently, tardies not counted, and the bar for passing set so low that it’s practically impossible to fail.
The recent restoration of standardized testing at Dartmouth also shed light on the fact that many lower-income students were actually harming their chances of admission by not submitting their scores.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker