Overhauling Admissions

We should remember why affirmative action was created (“College Admission at a Crossroads,” August

20). I am old enough to remember classified ads in my hometown paper labeled “Help Wanted-White” and “Help Wanted-Colored.” It is an achievement of American society that that kind of naked discrimination is mainly gone. Affirmative action has been very effective; there is a large and growing population of educated Black people in professional, well paying jobs. That means that colleges and businesses can fulfill their racial diversity goals from upper-middle class families. In the 21st century it is children not born into wealth that need a break, regardless of ethnicity. Economic diversity is a worthy goal for our colleges and universities.

Barry Needalman

Framingham

Colleges should focus on what each applicant has to offer — whether it is in fields of academic interest, in the arts, sports, religion, helping, or other arenas . . . . There are so many ways that an applicant might appeal to a college. It is what people DO with their gifts, not their test scores, that make certain people “the best.” Often it is an ability to persuade others that suggests leadership qualities. Don’t let [conservative activist] Edward Blum and the Supreme Court tell colleges whom to select for their classes! Harvard University, etc., should all be able to select the people who they think are best capable — rather than [basing that decision purely] on scores or grades — and educate those students to achieve their potential upon graduation.

Lauren Gibbs Cambridge