By: Alex K

Alex K
Wed, 19 Nov 2014 19:33:02 +0000

I think Ohio State should be less concerned with the diversity statistics and focus more on academic, extracurricular, and community service performance. Why should a student’s skin color matter during the application process? As long as a student performs to the level that is desired by Ohio State in order to gain acceptance, it should not matter if the student is Caucasian, Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, etc. If a student’s race or gender plays a large part in the acceptance process, preference is being shown one way or another. If that is the case, the acceptance process needs to be revised and made so that race and gender are not factors.

I say this as a white male. I am very fortunate to be attending The Ohio State University. While I cannot confirm the reason why, I assume I got accepted to attend based on my high school academic performance, community service and extracurricular activities.

I wish I could say the same for everyone, but there have been applicants over the years that have been denied to colleges all across the United States, including Ohio State, not because of academic performance, community service or their application essay(s), but rather because of the color of their skin. Instead, a student that was considered to be “diverse” because they were Black, Hispanic, Asian, or another racial minority with a less impressive academic profile was accepted instead. Denying the white person with a more impressive profile the opportunity of attending their desired institution because they did not meet the racial profile that was desired.

That is racism and that is what is wrong with the approach The Ohio State University and other colleges take towards the application and acceptance processes.