“… even if you are not Harvard material.”
I’ve been deep-diving into society’s status quo forces and its chokehold on change in the world, particularly in education. As a result, I’m hyper-vigilant about the status quo bias in the media, often hidden inside or added on to seemingly unrelated commentary.
Political commentator, radio/TV show host, and podcaster Michael Smerconish regards himself as an “independent media voice.” Having watched his CNN program, I would agree. However, in a podcast interview with economics professor, Scott Galloway, College Admissions = Hunger Games, Smerconish reveals his hidden bias toward Harvard University.
During the interview, Smerconish remarked about falling into the “suburban mentality” of SAT test prep with his children. As he dialogued with Galloway about the Covid-fueled growth of test-optional universities, out it came:
“Why not throw a long ball at Harvard, even if you are not Harvard material?”
I’m a life-long teacher and school leader with a career spent in the private school world of international education. Here is a quick story on how deep the “Harvard mentality bias” exists in schools around the world.
While working in a Shanghai, China international school, I learned information was circulating that a recruited elementary school teacher for the following year graduated from Harvard. Well, the scramble was on by parents to get their child into this teacher’s classroom. A teacher from Harvard! At some point, information was clarified that the teacher was a graduate of Howard University, not Harvard. Interest waned quickly. You know, the original understanding had been lost in the translation.
Now, Smerconish may truly believe that Harvard is only for the privileged, excellent test-takers, or whatever other criteria, but I would then question the independence of his voice. I think, “even if you are not Harvard material”, was a slip of his hidden (ability) bias.
Why is this important?
We have generations of underserved, underprivileged youth who do not believe they are good enough for the Ivies or other highly-rejective universities. One could argue to just stop worshiping these universities but, due to the biases so deeply entrenched, we must start with where the situation is, not where it should be. In reality, a wide swath of high school grads would succeed at Harvard, if only given an opportunity. But that would disrupt the illusion of elite-ness.
Here are two examples illustrating my point.
Jared Kushner-
In Daniel Goldman’s book, The Price Of Admission, officials at Kushner’s high school were aghast and upset at his admittance. Goldman quotes a school official, “His GPA did not warrant it, his SAT scores did not warrant it. We thought for sure, there was no way this was going to happen.”
Before his application, Kushner’s father gifted $2.5 million to Harvard. You can make your own decision on what influence this donation had on the application. I’m more interested in what Kushner did AFTER he was admitted. Although specific information on his Harvard academic performance has not been revealed, he graduated in 4 years with Honors.
Like Kushner, thousands of “unqualified” applicants are admitted to highly rejective (Hunger Games) universities every year. They are legacies, huge donors, obscure sports athletes, and a few cheaters. I assume the vast majority find some level of success and graduate.
The Equity Lab-
Ironically, Harvard and other universities have partnered with The Equity Lab to provide college-level courses to underserved high school students. The partnership has grown to serve about 1,500 students from 75 of the nation’s poorest schools in 35 cities. A caveat about Harvard’s participation is it has not resulted in a fundamental shift in admission processes.
And the results so far? Using the same expectations and evaluative criteria as university students, 86% have passed the courses and received college credit. When you consider the barriers existing in these children’s lives, it is an astounding statistic.
From a NY Times article on the students and program, “In a sense, the experiment is calling out the higher-education elite, who have long maintained that the underrepresentation of students from underserved communities at their institutions is a problem of preparation that is beyond their control.”
This is bias bordering on discrimination.
“Our nation’s talent is evenly distributed; opportunity is not,” states Leslie Cornfeld, The Equity Lab founder.
I hope the next time bias rears its subliminal head Smerconish will be talking about his favorite Philly sports team, not perpetuating myths about highly-rejective schools.
And for the rest of us? We all carry our biases, sometimes publicly. Like Smerconish, the words often slip out and go unnoticed. Pay attention, it might bring you to a new reality.
Image Credit: The featured image and quote are from the cult classic 2004 movie, Napoleon Dynamite.