In his recent column ("Rethinking Diversity," Feb. 22) Kevin Francfort provides his perspective on the value of a diverse community. Dartmouth embraces diversity because it significantly enhances the quality of the educational experience for all members of our community. My colleagues and I in the Admissions Office play an important role in making this vision a reality. Since we are fully immersed in selecting the Class of 2016, this is an opportune time to add my perspective to the ongoing discussion on this important topic.
The national conversation on college admissions is often oversimplified and broken down to raw, impersonal numbers. This process is not about quotas or simply checking boxes. When admissions officers are asked to report on the outcomes of our work, we face the inherent challenges in boiling down a lengthy and nuanced process to a set of numbers that may be interpreted by many as shorthand for institutional health and vitality. These numbers do not begin to convey the complexity of the selection process or the richness of perspective and experience that all students bring to our community. This has been so for generations of students admitted to Dartmouth.
Often lacking in these conversations about admissions is a recognition that the ways in which we understand and evaluate accomplishment and potential are multifaceted. The explosive growth in the number of applicants, up nearly 40 percent within the last four years alone, means that now more than ever we are attracting students who are among the best and the brightest from across an increasingly diverse set of backgrounds and perspectives. As a result, we are continually challenged to refine our process and bring a more nuanced approach to the work of selecting students to join the Dartmouth community.
Race and ethnicity, gender, geography, socioeconomic status, values, sexual orientation, age, family background, high school affiliation and home community, to name a few, are essential parts of who we are and how we define ourselves. As the Admissions Office shapes an entering class, we resist the temptation to organize applicants by any single category. Instead we challenge our assumptions along these very same lines and look beyond numbers and simple conclusions.
Our review goes well beyond each applicant's record of academic achievement and extracurricular accomplishment to identify students who have not only distinguished themselves but demonstrate the potential for continued growth at Dartmouth. Also, our holistic assessment recognizes the reality that educational opportunities and resources are not fairly and equitably distributed across our country, let alone around the world. Simply said, we are looking for multidimensional students who will make a significant contribution to our community and the world beyond campus.
I agree with Kevin's assertion that our work in admissions should align with the belief that "there is great value in a wide range of experiences and perspectives among individuals in the Dartmouth community." In fact, our selection process intentionally creates such outcomes. We remain open also to Kevin's point that the College must continue to "reflect on the role that race should play in admissions." That, however, is not enough. Instead of looking solely to the student selection process, we must remind ourselves why we value a diverse community. Furthermore, we need to test our capacity daily as individuals to fully realize the benefits of membership in a diverse community. As Kevin wrote, "It is when members of our community see past physical differences and come to appreciate the plethora of perspectives at the College that we learn and grow." After all, isn't that the reason why we're all here?
The process of selecting students for Dartmouth is a long, trying and ultimately satisfying one. Relative to the sustained effort it takes from all of us to realize the benefits of living and learning in a diverse community, however, ours may be the easier endeavor.
