While we enthusiastically applaud Dartmouth for its need-blind admissions policy, we wonder whether it is being exercised to its fullest possible extent.
The case in point here is Dartmouth's continued use of its early decision program. Other colleges have already switched to early action programs; Harvard made the decision several years ago and Yale recently changed over.
Early action programs give high school students a welcome release from the relentless pressures of parents and guidance counselors that accompany a college acceptance letter. Yet early action does not bind them into an agreement with the school. Importantly, this non-binding nature allows students who need to weigh financial aid offers from other institutions the flexibility to do so. Unfortunately, the College does not use this program.
In its place, Dartmouth continues to employ a binding early decision program that inherently seems to privilege those for whom a financial aid package is not a top consideration.
When this system is coupled with the facts that the demographic in question probably has better access to college admissions resources such as SAT tutors, college counselors, etc., and that over one-third of each class is admitted early -- the College's claim to a "need-blind" admissions process begins to appear more glitter than gold.
Though Dean of Admissions Karl Furstenberg assures us that no admitted student would be held to an unfavorable aid package under the need-blind policy, the possibility remains wide open that prospective students in need of aid would rather avoid the hassle of breaking what on paper is a binding agreement to Dartmouth College and may thus be deterred from applying.
But there is a solution.
By switching to a non-binding early action program which allows for comparison of financial aid offers and for security without forged ties to the institution, more prospective students from across the economic spectrum will have the freedom to apply early.
Dartmouth infamously was the last among the Ivy League schools to become coeducational -- the College should avoid repeating this unfortunate mistake and take the initiative to innovate.
If this policy remains much longer, the Dartmouth community has the obligation to question why.
