Earlier this year, the president of Yale University threw down the gauntlet. He challenged the nation’s top universities to abolish the binding early decision application process.
The system is widely regarded as a ploy to pad college rankings, and as yet another source of pressure in the already frenzied lives of college-bound seniors.
No other institutions answered that call, yet this week, in a ratings-be-damned move, Yale unilaterally disarmed — easing the contract with early applicants. Stanford quickly followed suit, and now eyes are on the other elite institutions still clinging to ironclad, and some say discriminatory, admissions programs. Dropping out of early decision: a kinder, gentler road to college commitment.
Guests:
Richard Levin, President of Yale University
James Fallows, National Correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly.