Now that it’s been 4 years since COVID forced all schools to conduct online lessons and create tests to evaluate students in remote classrooms, students have had plenty of time to find ways to cheat on exams. It used to be that a cheater might write down formulas or facts on their forearms and glance at them when the teacher wasn’t looking. Or, friends who took the class before yours would tell you some of the questions on the test so you had time to get the answer before it was your turn. Other more sophisticated students would bribe the student TA (teacher’s assistant) to change their scores in the class grade book.
Today, students pay Exam Rabbit, a contract cheating company, about $250 to take the exam for them. For the student, it’s really simple. All they need to do is have their student ID, be in a secure location (without other computers, tablets, and phones), and pretend to take the test. Teachers in high school and professors in college use AI-powered proctoring services such as Honorlock and Proctorio to detect if the student glances away from the screen for a prolonged period of time – presumably to look at their notes, books, or other sources that aren’t allowed during the test. As long as the student pretends to take the test by reading the questions and staying engaged, most proctoring services will not detect cheating.
Exam Rabbit and other cheating services set up a VPN to hide their location (usually outside the US) and the remote-controlled platform that allows them to take control over the student’s computer. The cheating service has experts who answer the questions directly on the student’s computer. As long as students stay focused on their screens and don’t act suspiciously, students can get away with cheating on these online tests.
Studies show that students cheated twice as often in 2021 than they did in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. 77 percent of professors believe that students are more likely to cheat in online testing than in brick and mortar classrooms. This is problematic because 50 percent of courses at many colleges are fully online and 75 percent of students now take at least one online class each year.
Not all cheating students pay $250 to Exam Rabbit but many cheat by sharing their login information with a cousin or friend who then takes the exam for them. Donald Trump allegedly paid someone to take the SAT for him so he could get into Wharton. This kind of cheating has been going on for decades.
While cheating is wrong on so many levels, new developments may make students rethink how they cheat and whether or not it’s worth the risk. When they use Exam Rabbit or any program that takes over your computer, these companies can blackmail the student because they have video footage that shows the student’s image and their student ID. This would mean expulsion at their school or college and that video footage could be damning for careers and employment in the future if it were released on social media. Companies like Exam Rabbit have blackmailed students whose payments bounced by threatening to release the video of them cheating on the exam.
In a time where cancel culture can destroy reputations, students should consider the ramifications of blatantly cheating and having digital records that tie themselves to these unethical acts. Wouldn’t it be better to meet with the professor or teacher during office hours to learn the material? If the course is too advanced for the student, they always have the option to drop the course and retake it at another time. If college is too demanding, maybe the student should consider other career options. College is expensive and the ROI is not always positive. Parents, if your child is cheating on exams, take this opportunity to reevaluate their goals and support them in choosing a new direction if that is what they need. And above all else, let’s instill ethics and honesty in our children.
Now that it’s been 4 years since COVID forced all schools to conduct online lessons and create tests to evaluate students in remote classrooms, students have had plenty of time to find ways to cheat on exams. It used to be that a cheater might write down formulas or facts on their forearms and glance at them when the teacher wasn’t looking. Or, friends who took the class before yours would tell you some of the questions on the test so you had time to get the answer before it was your turn. Other more sophisticated students would bribe the student TA (teacher’s assistant) to change their scores in the class grade book.
Today, students pay Exam Rabbit, a contract cheating company, about $250 to take the exam for them. For the student, it’s really simple. All they need to do is have their student ID, be in a secure location (without other computers, tablets, and phones), and pretend to take the test. Teachers in high school and professors in college use AI-powered proctoring services such as Honorlock and Proctorio to detect if the student glances away from the screen for a prolonged period of time – presumably to look at their notes, books, or other sources that aren’t allowed during the test. As long as the student pretends to take the test by reading the questions and staying engaged, most proctoring services will not detect cheating.
Exam Rabbit and other cheating services set up a VPN to hide their location (usually outside the US) and the remote-controlled platform that allows them to take control over the student’s computer. The cheating service has experts who answer the questions directly on the student’s computer. As long as students stay focused on their screens and don’t act suspiciously, students can get away with cheating on these online tests.
Studies show that students cheated twice as often in 2021 than they did in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. 77 percent of professors believe that students are more likely to cheat in online testing than in brick and mortar classrooms. This is problematic because 50 percent of courses at many colleges are fully online and 75 percent of students now take at least one online class each year.
Not all cheating students pay $250 to Exam Rabbit but many cheat by sharing their login information with a cousin or friend who then takes the exam for them. Donald Trump allegedly paid someone to take the SAT for him so he could get into Wharton. This kind of cheating has been going on for decades.
While cheating is wrong on so many levels, new developments may make students rethink how they cheat and whether or not it’s worth the risk. When they use Exam Rabbit or any program that takes over your computer, these companies can blackmail the student because they have video footage that shows the student’s image and their student ID. This would mean expulsion at their school or college and that video footage could be damning for careers and employment in the future if it were released on social media. Companies like Exam Rabbit have blackmailed students whose payments bounced by threatening to release the video of them cheating on the exam.
In a time where cancel culture can destroy reputations, students should consider the ramifications of blatantly cheating and having digital records that tie themselves to these unethical acts. Wouldn’t it be better to meet with the professor or teacher during office hours to learn the material? If the course is too advanced for the student, they always have the option to drop the course and retake it at another time. If college is too demanding, maybe the student should consider other career options. College is expensive and the ROI is not always positive. Parents, if your child is cheating on exams, take this opportunity to reevaluate their goals and support them in choosing a new direction if that is what they need. And above all else, let’s instill ethics and honesty in our children.
Okay, I know this sounds impossible, but I actually got my kids (and husband!) to VOLUNTEER to spring clean my house! No, I didn’t bribe them, or threaten them.
So here’s how I did it: I made a list of all of the things that needed spring cleaning: organizing closets, rearranging gardening supplies, cleaning out the fridge, cleaning windows – you get the idea. Spring cleaning can feel daunting because there is so much that can be done, so pick 3-4 things that are your top priorities for each room. The rest you can do in another spring cleaning day later or even next year. By listing specific tasks for my family, each one sounded reasonable.
Careful how you make your lists. Instead of writing “Organize Play Room,” I wrote “Find all Legos and place in Lego Bin,” “Gather all books and place on bookshelves,” “Put old toys in box for Goodwill,” etc. Be specific so they understand exactly what needs to be done.
3 Tips for Different Rooms:
For bedrooms: “Fill Goodwill box with clothes that don’t fit anymore,” “Remove everything from under your bed and put them where they belong,” and “Clear off your desk.”
For bathroom: “Wipe down toiletries in drawer,” “Stack and organize toilet paper, tissues, and shower supplies,” and Clean the toilet.”
For kitchen: “Organize utensils drawer,” “Clean fridge and freezer,” and “Clean stove.”
For garden: “Weed planters,” “Organize gardening tools,” and “Plant seeds in little pots.”
For garage: “Fill Goodwill box with stuff we don’t use,” “Hang hooks or build shelves for stuff,” and “Caulk edges around garage.”
I created a list that could be completed in a reasonable amount of time. It felt good just to make the list of all the things I’d been wanting to clean and organize over the winter. Then, I called a family meeting on a Sunday morning and served up everyone’s favorite breakfast — huevos rancheros!
This wasn’t a “bribe”, exactly, but it helped when setting them up to volunteer for spring cleaning. I WAS PREPARED. I put up giant Post-it Notes on the walls and listed all of the individual things that needed to be cleaned. Instead of demanding that they participate, I started with a perk: I told them that we would be hosting a party for family and friends in a month, and we needed to get our house and property in tip-top shape for our visitors. They were thrilled to hear about our future guests and we talked about fun things to do with them. So far, so good.
Then, I asked them to write their names next to the tasks listed on the Post-it Notes that they would like to do. When they saw something that they hated doing — like cleaning toilets or washing out garbage cans, they jumped up to claim the things that they considered easier jobs. What happened next was shocking. They actually signed up for EVERYTHING ON MY LIST!
When they asked me why I didn’t sign up for anything, I told them that I’m responsible for making sure that they have all the cleaning supplies, organizational materials, and guidance they need for all tasks. Couldn’t believe it but they bought it! Phew! I didn’t need to nag about getting it done because they all knew the deadline — the weekend of our party!
On our family calendar (and our family Google Calendar), I blocked off 3 hours each weekend for the family to work on their spring cleaning tasks. I made sure that they had their cleaning supplies, boxes for Goodwill, and new accessories (shelves, hooks) so there were no excuses. I also took lunch orders to give them something delicious to look forward to at the end of their work days. Tossing in pizza and ice cream goes a long way!
And that’s how you get your family to VOLUNTEER to do chores!
What is Zyn?
Do you know what Zyn is? Have you heard of the “upper-decky lip pillow? If you have tween or teen children or grandchildren, hang on because you need to be in the know. Zyn is the smokeless alternative to vapes, and vapes was the less-noticeable form of smoking cigarettes. Zyn is a nicotine pouch that is placed under your lip like chewing tobacco or tobacco dip. It is less visible than vapes because there are no cartridges or battery pens, and certainly inconspicuous next to cigarettes and smoke.
Zyn comes in 2 strengths: 3- and 6-milligram pouches. The nicotine ingredient is very addictive – especially for young tweens. First-time users often vomit or pass out when experimenting with the 6 milligram pouches. Zyn is packaged in tins that contain 16 little white rectangles – AKA lip cushions. Dentists have reported gum injuries and concerns about the toxic chemicals in the pouches that can cause periodontal and gum disease in patients who use Zyn. They are known to increase heart rate and blood pressure. The nicotine can also negatively affects kids’ mental health. At first, they may feel a sense of relaxation that is short lived and followed up with a spike in edginess and anxiety that ultimately causes a vicious cycle of needing relaxation to offset their anxiety. And because Zyn is highly addictive, it adds another layer of mental agitation. Still this is such a new craze that there hasn’t been enough time to understand all of the risks associated with these little nicotine pouches.
Phillip Morris International purchased Swedish Match (the Zyn-brand manufacturer) in early 2023 (barely a year ago) and they expect to make $2 billion by end of 2024. Rogue, Lix, and Velo are also popular Zyn alternatives. The many companies that produce nicotine pouches are hoping to hook young kids on their brands so they’ll have customers for life. Instead of big billboards, magazine ads, or TV commercials, these manufacturers advertise on social media targeting specific age groups. They also use influencers who are like the popular kids that most kids want to follow. Known as Zynfluencers, they send powerful messages using TikTok videos to young kids about how cool it is to Zyn and how much fun it is to have that little blast of energy.
Unlike smoking cigarettes where parents can smell the smoke or vaping where parents find vape pens and other paraphernalia, Zyn is almost undetectable. Students Zyn in class and at home. Most teachers and parents don’t know about Zyn so students are gravitating to it. Since 2014, Zyn has been increasing in popularity and many consider it the new vape.
Even the most concerned parents face daunting odds of positively influencing their children about Zyn. Advertisers and Zynfluencers are on youth social media feeds brainwashing them for hours each day. Parents don’t see the same ads or TikTok videos because marketing companies create algorhythms to target this young demographic.
It’s not like it was when I was a kid. Back then, parents saw the same ads and commercials that the kids saw, and they could restrict what their children read and TV shows they watched. We read real books and magazines (paper), and we all watched the same shows and movies on our one TV set in the house. Most kids today are on their smartphones or tablets for hours without parental oversight.
Parents, you need to understand Zyn. Frame the truth about how Zyn negatively affects your children’s health before they get pulled into Zyn with friends. Be proactive and open the discussion. By framing the idea that Zyn nicotine pouches are a marketing ploy to make young kids addicted for life, you may have a chance to ward off the inevitable dilemma in the first place.
Parents, you have the right to check your children’s smartphones, tablets and backpacks. Limit screen time to one hour per night so they choose how they want to spend that precious hour. Talk to them about ads, influencers, and other bombardment of information. Parents, you have an important role to play as your child’s chief advocate. Open the discussion and be involved in every aspect of your child’s life because you are fighting an invisible enemy in a cyber-battleground that can infiltrate your child’s mind and behavior.
Ever wonder how the US News and World Report select which university is the best in the nation? You would hope that the researchers would create algorhythms to consider a wide range of factors to fairly determine this elite ranking. But no. Critics in the past two decades have exposed just how ratings can be easily manipulated by the colleges themselves. In order to boost their rankings, colleges simply increase the volume of students who apply. To do this, many colleges target applicants who are unqualified students and entice them with free application fees.
Stanford University, Reed College, and others have openly criticized ranking colleges based on the fact that it is impossible to objectively determine subjective characteristics such as “reputation,” which comprises 25% of the ranking. Another factor includes emphasizing research expenditures (grants and contracts) to determine the scientific accomplishment rather than considering the importance and impact of scientific discoveries.
Today, US News and World Report sells “badges” to colleges for thousands of dollars so they can post their shiny badges on their website,citing their ranking. US News started selling badges in 2010, and they now havemore than 130 categories for undergraduate and graduate programs. Do the math:4400 colleges times $20,000 (badge costs are from $8000 to upwards of $32,000 per year) equals hypothetically 88 million dollars per year.
Many colleges are opting out of playing the ranking game,especially many in the top 200. For those colleges, they already have the reputation and they use other marketing strategies to keep them in the news.But for smaller colleges, they struggle to get the incoming student yields theyneed so many colleges are compelled to pay outlandish digital marketing license fees.
With over 4400 colleges and universities in the United States, selecting the best-fit college for undergraduates and graduates can be daunting. While we all know about 200 of the well-known colleges that seemingly everyone aspires to each year – Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton – making this decision can be stressful to every college-bound student.
With the high cost of a college education, parents are pushing their children to major in fields that will give them the best opportunity to secure high-paying jobs in a lucrative market. Where they get their training (undergraduate degree) often plays an important role in getting into grad schools or setting course for a successful career. STEM (science,technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields are highly sought after, andas a result, are the most competitive to get into at the top universities.
A quick Google search for the best colleges in specific fields will send students and parents to college-ranking programs like the US News and World Report. By searching for “Best Colleges” you can select from among several lists such as National Universities, Liberal Arts Universities, Engineering, Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges, and more. But don’t let the allure of the rankings mislead you.
Rather than choosing colleges based on their rankings, choose colleges based on the academic departments you are interested in studying. Check the specific major(s) at each of the colleges at the top onyour list. Then drill down to see the lower-division and upper-division requirements, and the options for electives. Check out their research,internship, capstone (senior project), and other opportunities. Then look atthe general education requirements. Consider other majors that you may want toexplore and possibly audit classes to expand your knowledge. By taking these easy steps, you’ll create a list of excellent colleges that will give you the skills and foundation you need.
While making one of the most important decisions in yourlife, research and compare colleges based on which colleges offer you the bestselection of courses and options. Visit the colleges and take tours, or scour their websites and take virtual tours. If you succumb to the rankings, just take them with a grain of salt.
Many parents mistakenly believe their children are functioning at or above grade level for several reasons:
Grades Reflect More Than Just Academic Performance:
Class grades are not solely based on academic abilities. They often include factors like attendance, class participation, homework completion, behavior, quizzes, and tests. This means that a student can earn good grades even if they haven’t mastered the actual material.
Grade Improvement Opportunities:
Many teachers provide opportunities for students to improve their grades through late homework submissions, extra credit assignments, retaking quizzes or tests, and doing test corrections. This practice can inflate a student’s final grade, making it seem like they are performing better academically than they actually are.
Parents Trust the School System:
Parents often trust the education system and may assume that if their child is earning good grades, they are on track to succeed in college and the workforce. However, the grading system can be influenced by various factors, leading to inflated perceptions of a student’s performance.
Lack of Understanding of Educational Standards:
Some parents may not fully understand the educational standards and expectations at each grade level. They might not be aware of the gap between their child’s reported grades and actual proficiency in subjects like math and reading.
Grade Inflation:
Grade inflation is a phenomenon where grades are higher than they were in the past, and this can contribute to the misconception that students are performing at or above grade level when they may not be.
Standardized Test Concerns:
Standardized tests are not always seen as reliable measures of student potential. Some parents and educators may be skeptical of their validity and may rely more on class grades.
To address this issue, it is important for parents to have open and regular communication with their child’s teachers. Discussing a child’s academic progress and areas where improvement is needed can provide a more accurate picture of their performance. Additionally, parents can take an active role in their child’s education by providing supplementary resources and activities that help them develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills beyond what is covered in the classroom. This approach can help ensure that a child is truly prepared for success in college and their future careers.
We have an exciting lineup of speakers this year! Join us to learn about ideas worth spreading.
A Drug-Free Alternative Treatment for IBD by Nicholas Tran
Today, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is rapidly spreading with the Westernization of our diets, causing an influx of unhealthy processed foods which cause catastrophic and irreversible damage to our gut. IBD is lifelong and unpredictable in nature, casting a heavy toll on a patient’s mental health, especially those diagnosed with early onset IBD. Nicholas discusses the gaps within IBD treatment and offers his own solution, an app focused on improving patient quality of life through positive nutrition.
At 14, Nicholas was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. He fundraises to find a cure and organizes events to bring his community together. Nicholas also enjoys playing golf with his dad, and with his free time, he explores ingredients and creates new and friendly recipes that spice up the culinary delights of IBD patients.
Spice, Medicine, or Both?: Turmeric & Health by Neha Surendar
Ayurveda, a 5,000 year old holistic healing system, focuses on balancing bodily systems to maintain health. A critical ingredient in Indian cooking and medicine, turmeric has a long tradition as a versatile spice. As Western healthcare becomes more focused on pharmaceuticals, Neha Surendar believes turmeric and its antioxidative properties should be part of the conversation about treating a variety of conditions. Her talk challenges the audience to consider how turmeric can impact their health.
Neha Surendar is a high school senior who lives in Texas. She competes in Speech & Debate, ranking among the top 25 students in Texas. Neha embraces her Desi culture and recently took an interest in learning about its culinary traditions. Upon graduation, Neha intends to study neuroscience and pursue a career in healthcare.
Using Technology to Address Homelessness by Aidan Levan
In 2022, San Jose spent $116 million on homelessness. As the homeless population rises, action must be taken. Aidan Levan created an app called Loved Ones Are Found to help connect the homeless with their loved ones. Through crowdsourcing, this app can locate the homeless and reconnect them with their families while also getting them off the streets. Whether families are looking for their lost homeless loved one or a homeless person is looking for their family, people can reunite through the app.
Aidan Levan is the creator of the app, Loved Ones Are Found. He is fascinated by mechanical engineering, guitars, and cars. He plays lead guitar in his band, and he enjoys to play rock music. Aidan just came back from South Africa and Vietnam. He loves to travel with his family and play with his two poodles. He hopes to become a mechanical engineer and design cars.
Track a Gun: A Crowdsourcing Solution to Active-Shooter Violence by Kiran Sunil
Over the past 9 months, there have been over 25,000 deaths by gun violence. Kiran created Track A Gun, an app that empowers communities to prevent gun violence. Through crowdsourcing, this app can help people share what they see and hear in real time so victims can decide to run for shelter, hide from the shooter, or protect loved ones during an active-shooter incident. Join Kiran to learn how innovation and the power of collective action can foster safer, more connected communities.
Kiran Sunil is a high school senior from San Jose. He enjoys playing tennis and basketball, as well as participating in programming and robotics competitions. He aspires to continue studying computer science, and pursue a career in software development. He is determined to leverage technology to reduce gun violence.
How Vaping is Affecting More Than Just Your Lungs by Mehtaab Dhillon
Vaping is this generation’s new medium to consume nicotine and weed, and like cigarettes, users are getting more than just nicotine and weed. A concerning portion of the youth is falling victim to the propaganda of Big Tobacco who has framed vaping as a healthy alternative to smoking cigarettes. New research shows that this is the case. With the recent global pandemic, it is important to understand vaping’s effects of vaping on our immune system and with the help of controlled research, expose Big Tobacco’s lies.
Mehtaab Dhillon is a high school senior from the Central Valley. He aspires to become a physician and master communication to become the most effective physician possible. Along with effective communication, Mehtaab wishes to create a healthier society fueled by his passion for Biology and Chemistry. For fun, Mehtaab enjoys distance running and spending time with family.
Trauma on the brain by Daisy Payton
The neurobiological effects of PTSD can vary based on personal touch. PTSD is caused by extreme trauma and is seen most in women and people of color. Research shows that long term experience of traumatic stress has drastic impacts on specific structures of the brain, like the prefrontal cortex. These disruptions can affect the ability to regulate emotion, learn, and form new memories and it looks different in every gender, demographic and stage of development. It is treatable.
Daisy attended the University of San Francisco and received her degree in Psychology and minor in Neuroscience. Currently, she runs her family’s ranch and cares for her hoard of animals. She’s applying to Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience PhD programs this fall and plans to research genetics, neural basis of emotion, and psychopathology.
Now that students are back in school, let’s set them up to build strong study skills. I’m teaching these skills to students of all ages – even my high school seniors – to improve their grades and to reduce their stress.
To start, they’ll need to get organized so they don’t stress out when facing their long lists of things to do. By using Google Calendar (GCal), they’ll see how and when each homework, paper, or test prep will be done. I like GCal because it’s easy to use and it’s right on their cell phones so they have it with them all the time.
Here are the 8 steps to building strong study skills using GCal:
1. Set up GCal
Enter each class in GCal for the entire week, and make it repeat (recurring feature) for the school year. Some schools have the same class schedules Monday through Friday. Others have block days with longer classes. Refer to your school’s bell schedule to get the approximate times for each class. Then look at the school’s minimum days, teacher in-service days, and school holidays. Make sure that their GCals are accurate for the entire school year.
2. Enter Due Dates
Looking at each class’s syllabus or online homework reminders, enter homework, test dates, and other deadlines on the dates that they are due (not the days they are assigned). This will help your child prioritize what should be done first, and allow enough time to complete all necessary steps. If teachers don’t give students official due dates ahead of time, your child will need to adjust the study plan daily.
3. Add Extracurricular Activities
Next enter in all extracurricular activities and include time for transportation. They might block off 2 hours for practice plus 15 minutes of driving to and from the game. Remind them about sports, music lessons, doctors’ appointments, and social activities. Consider dinner time; do you have a set time for dinner each night? Block off time for all after-school activities including showering after games.
4. Plan When to do Homework
Now that you know when homework is due, your child could block off time to do each facet of the assignment. If they have to complete all math problems on page 8, have them block off one hour to complete it at a time that works for them. They could plan homework around commitments so they could see how they might juggle homework and baseball practice.
5. Steps for Test Preparation (not cramming)
Test preparation will take a little more planning than homework. First, make a list of each step needed to prepare for the test. They may need to read a chapter, review lecture notes, make a study guide or flash cards, meet with a study group, and research other sources (Khan Academy, Google searches). By blocking off time to do each of these tasks over a week in GCal, they’ll learn the concepts at a deeper level than cramming the night before a test. This also gives them time to ask the teacher for help if they don’t understand something before the test.
6. Organize Writing Papers
Writing a book report or research paper will take even more planning than for tests. They’ll need to select the topic, research the subject, write a thesis statement, make an outline, write a rough draft, edit the paper, add a bibliography, include other required materials, and submit it. Some of these steps may take several hours over several days. Like preparing for a test, make a list of all of the steps they’ll need to take to complete the assignment a few days before it is due, and then block off time for each task in their GCal. This will reduce the stress and give them plenty of time to write their report or paper.
7. Reschedule for a Healthy Balance
Review the GCal to see how much time is dedicated to school and after-school activities. Some students create different calendars (school, extracurricular activities, friends, college prep) with different colors so they can quickly see how balanced their lives are. If there isn’t enough time to relax and have fun with friends, then your child could move tasks to another day to ensure that there is a healthy balance of academics, exercise, and social activities. Just check deadlines and test dates and prioritize accordingly.
8. Prepare for Finals Now
Once a week, have your child review everything covered in classes to date. They can glance over previous quizzes and tests, flashcards, and lecture notes over the weekend. Simply block off time to study “Alls” each week. This will help build a deeper conceptual understanding of the material and improve long-term memory. That way, when they need to prepare for midterm or final exams later in the year, they won’t have to cram because they’ll already be prepared.
9. Highlight the Activity When it’s Done
After your child goes to class, does the task, or participates in an activity, they could highlight with their favorite color. That way, they’ll see what they’ve accomplished throughout the day. Success begets success. If they didn’t go to class or do an assignment, they just need to move it to another time or day so they can still meet the deadline. If they know it’s going to be late, they could email the teacher to let them know ahead of time. This teaches responsibility and good etiquette.
In my previous article, “Ramifications of Affirmative Action Ban on College Admissions,” I addressed how affirmative action really affects college admissions by creating substandard classes and dumbing down our best universities. Instead of giving free passes to students who meet ethnic and socioeconomic numbers, let’s level the playing field so all students have similar opportunities to compete for admission based on merit. We need to start teaching academic skills in preschool and offer cutting-edge courses in K-12. Remember there are over 4,000 colleges in the United States, and most will accept all applicants. For the sake of this article, we are only addressing the super selective colleges with acceptance rates below 10%.
Academic preschool for all
We need to offer FREE academic preschool programs for all children. The poor, inner-city students should have the opportunity to learn reading readiness skills at 3 years old and be reading chapter books by the time they enter kindergarten — just like the wealthy students. Teachers should be paid more to teach in inner city schools and be paid bonuses when their students reach or surpass grade-level standards and/or win science fairs.
Set up your own preschool
Parents can set up free preschool enrichment programs for their children in their homes. This will give their children a solid academic foundation before entering kindergarten. I successfully did this for 9 years and my daughters went to Stanford University and Claremont McKenna College. By inviting 3-4 tuition-paying students to cover the costs, hosting families receive free preschool for their children. That means that all children can experience the crème-de-la-crème preschool that only rich kids receive today. This model also works for elementary, middle, and high school students. Parents can set up after-school support to build critical reading, essay writing, and math skills. Hosting families receive these services for free. Check out my book and the curriculum.
Improve K-12 education
Enhance the quality of education in primary and secondary schools is crucial to prepare students for college. Providing modern resources, qualified teachers, and an academic and STEM curriculum can help bridge the educational gap between the haves and the have-nots. Teachers should be paid double what they make today. We have a massive teacher shortage across the United States – college students don’t aspire to become teachers because they don’t want to live in poverty.
Encourage students to do projects
Schools can set up mentorship programs with retired professionals to guide students as they brainstorm, initiate, and complete projects. This exposure can introduce students to lucrative careers and fascinating college majors. Projects give all students the opportunity to build their portfolios and increase their odds of admission to top colleges.
Expand pre-college programs
Implement pre-college programs, such as academic enrichment programs, mentorship initiatives, and college preparatory courses, can help disadvantaged students gain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in college. These programs can offer guidance on the college application process, standardized testing, and financial aid options.
Increase financial aid
Access to financial aid is a significant barrier for many students seeking higher education. Increasing the availability of need-based scholarships, grants, and loans can alleviate the financial burden and make college more affordable for students.
Target support for underrepresented groups
Address historical inequalities. Specific support programs can be developed for underrepresented groups, including Black, Hispanic, Native American, and first-generation college students. These programs can offer mentorship, academic support, and resources tailored to their unique needs and challenges.
Strengthen community college pathways
Community colleges can bridge the gap between high schools and a 4-year colleges. Enhancing transfer pathways to provide academic support and ensure seamless credit transfers can facilitate a smoother transition to bachelor’s degree programs.
Expand student bodies at selective colleges
If these high-demand colleges opened up 50% more spaces each year, it would take off some of the pressure to select under-represented ethnic students who may not meet admission standards. More spaces could allow for a more diverse student body. With the massive endowments these selective colleges have, building more dorms and classrooms wouldn’t put a dent in their budgets. Besides, more students means more tuition.
These are 9 ways to level the playing field for admission to the top universities so that all children receive the academic and social exposure needed to prepare them for higher education. Students should be able to take advantage of early reading and math preschool programs so they can excel in K-12. By having access to excellent teachers (regardless of your zip code) and programs to prepare them for the rigorous college admissions process, qualified students will not be a concentrated group of upper class and White/Asians. In an ideal world, during senior year of high school, colleges should admit students based on their academic prowess, innovation, and what unique characteristics they will add to the incoming freshman college class – not their ethnicities.
Who benefits from Affirmative Action?
Affirmative action policies were designed to address historical and ongoing inequalities by providing preferential opportunities to Black and Hispanic students that have been marginalized or disadvantaged. These policies were aimed to promote diversity, inclusion, and equal representation in education.
Who is targeted by Affirmative Action?
Critics of affirmative action argue that it is unfair to Asians and Whites who may be denied admission to as a result of these policies. They believe that affirmative action can result in reverse discrimination by favoring individuals based on their race or gender, rather than their individual merit. It undermines the principles of fairness and equality; students should be evaluated solely on their qualifications, skills, and abilities, rather than their demographic characteristics.
What about minimum admission requirements?
Most selective colleges claim that all students meet their admissions standards. However, I work with students who have been admitted to elite colleges through affirmative action and they often come to me because they’re struggling to pass their classes. When students don’t have the critical reading or essay writing skills needed to succeed at these top universities, they often feel like imposters or failures, and these negative experiences can haunt them for the rest of their lives.
What about legacies?
According to Insider Higher Ed, University of Southern California (USC), Pepperdine University, and Vanguard University admitted some legacy students who did not meet the minimum admissions requirements. USC admitted eight students over the past 4 years who were related to donors or alumni but didn’t meet admission requirements. Two of these students hadn’t even taken Algebra 2 in high school and two others hadn’t graduated from high school. Over the past 3 years, Pepperdine admitted ten legacy students and Vanguard admitted nine students who didn’t meet the university’s standards.
When colleges select their incoming students based on family legacies and large financial contributions, they dumb down their incoming classes. When parents donate large sums of money to get their children into selective colleges, they send heartbreaking messages to their children that they don’t believe their children can get into college. Some parents involved in the Varsity Blues Scandal went to prison when they were caught bribing admissions officers, paying off SAT proctors, and buying coaches to lie about their children’s athletic talents. Why would a parent want their child to be the bottom of the class and struggle to graduate because they don’t belong there?
Should top universities admit the best students?
There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States, and only a few are highly selective (acceptance rate lower than 10%). That means that most colleges will admit just about anyone who applies. But those elite colleges, should be allowed to enroll the smartest students to work with world-class professors so these institutions can create innovative and inspirational think tanks. Imagine the synergy in discussion groups and the solutions to major problems that these brilliant students and professors could solve. Here in the United States, we have produced more patents and started more innovative businesses than any other country in the world, but we may be losing our winning edge to China and Japan.
We shouldn’t lower the productivity of these institutions by focusing on ethnicity-based quotas, which reduce the space to enroll the best students. Seeking a diverse student body from various socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds makes this mix of students even more dynamic, but should only be considered for tie breakers when two students have equal talent and brilliance.
The key is finding a way to select students for these exceptional higher education institutions without having to fulfill quotas and lower academic standards. I’ve addressed productive and realistic ways to make top colleges accessible to a diverse group of students in another article. Let’s keep this discussion going!