Mismatch: How Affirmative Action Hurts Students It’s Intended to Help, And Why Universities Won’t Admit It

(Basic Books) Racial admissions preferences often undermine the very people they are supposed to help, argue the authors. Many recipients are “mismatched,” meaning they end up in institutions where they are not as prepared academically as their peers and their learning and self-confidence can suffer. The authors offer suggestions on reforms, including fully disclosing preferential admissions policies and outcomes. Taylor is a contributing editor for National Journal and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution; he also has taught at Stanford Law School.