The College Puzzle Blog
Prior PostingsAbout
Dr. Michael W. Kirst

Michael W. Kirst is Professor Emeritus of Education and Business Administration at Stanford University since 1969.
Dr. Kirst received his Ph.D. in political economy and government from Harvard. Before joining the Stanford University faculty, Dr. Kirst held several positions with the federal government, including Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Manpower, Employment and Poverty. He was a former president of the California State Board of Education. His book From High School to College with Andrea Venezia was published by Jossey Bass in 2004.

Most Recent Blog
::College Remediation Rates Are Understated by US De...>
::Makes Far Behind Females In College Preparation An...>
::Guest Blogger Sara Goldrick-Rab: More on TEACH Grants>
::Getting Into College Without Good Grades: Guest Bl...>
::Online Tutoring for High School and College Success>
::High School Graduation Requirements Increase; But ...>
::College Going CultureIn Secondary Schools #3>
::College Going Culture in Secondary Schools#2>
::What does a secondary school with collge-going cul...>
::Acheive the College Dream Expands to 83 Community ...>

Archives

My blog discusses the important and complex subjects of college completion, college success, student risk factors (for failing), college readiness, and academic preparation. I will explore the pieces of the college puzzle that heavily influence, if not determine, college success rates.

Top 10 Percent Admissions Rule Overwhelms U Texas

Dear Friends, (Message From University of Texas Austin President Bill Powers)
>
>Many of you have told me that you are concerned about the Top 10%
>Law and its effect on admissions at UT Austin. We're concluding the
>admissions cycle here on the 40 Acres, and I'd like to share some
>figures with you.
>
>We received 29,626 applications for the fall 2008 freshman class.
>Our target enrollment for that class is 7,200. We have already
>admitted more than 9,100 Texas applicants who graduated in the top
>10% of their high school class. Those figures clearly demonstrate
>the problem we face.
>
>Of course, not all the Top 10% admitted students will attend UT. But
>we estimate that 81-85% of our freshmen from Texas high schools will
>be automatically admitted under the Top 10% Law, and it could reach
>100% within the next two years. After all, last year's figure was
>71%, so we've experienced a substantial increase in only 12 months.
>
>The law penalizes many well-rounded students. Furthermore, we are
>unable to admit many students with extraordinary skills in music,
>art, mathematics, or leadership because we are required to select so
>many students according to a sole criterion, class rank. When our
>children come to us and ask for advice, we properly tell them to do
>well in school, but also to be well rounded by getting involved in
>their community. Then when they want to come to UT, they find out
>only one thing matters. That's a terrible message to send to our young people.
>
>In addition, only one in four of our top 10% students is Hispanic or
>African American. We are running out of room to recruit minority
>students who, for example, are in the 15th percentile and who have
>other indices of leadership. We can do a better job diversifying our
>class if we have more flexibility. When the Top 10% Law was
>originally passed, about 41% of our Texas students came in under it.
>All we are asking is to return to that original model.
>
>In testimony before the Legislature on many occasions, I have stated
>that if we granted automatic admission to half the freshman class
>and considered all admissions criteria for the other half, we could
>accomplish the goals of the Top 10% Law while building a diverse and
>well-rounded student body. In my travels across Texas, I will
>continue to try to educate the people of our state and our elected
>representatives about the effects of the Top 10% Law on educational
>opportunities at The University of Texas at Austin. I hope you will join me.
>
>Thanks for all you do for the University.
>
>[]
>
>
>Bill Powers
>President
>The University of Texas at Austin

Copyright 2006 My College Puzzle