Over the past 50 years, there have been many approaches to greater diversity and fairness in leading American universities — generally by admitting more applicants from public schools and other countries, and minorities and women. Now it may be time to give priority to applicants who will gain the most from their education at Princeton.
Does Princeton want to contribute to giving the elite ever more advantages? If so, then it just has to admit the best and the brightest based on demonstrated ability and achievement. An achievement-based admission policy largely replicates accepting students from affluent families who give their children advantages not available to others.
Or does Princeton want to contribute the biggest differences in creating the elite? If this is so, then Princeton must look at potential growth — the potential of increased ability in the overall class. This certainly would be more difficult, but the outcome, I submit, would be an increase in overall student learning and a greater value to society, progress for all, and to students themselves.
An admission policy based on potential would select students who have the greatest potential to benefit the most and grow the most from the educational experience. This would achieve the laudable goals of greater educational impact and increased diversity that have been pursued over many years. Who benefits? Both the students admitted and society would gain more from this approach. Who loses? Only those students who would be replaced by students with greater potential to contribute to our society. If the motto “in the nation’s service” is operating, Princeton would adopt a potential-based admission policy and find ways, as it could, to make this policy successful.