The Daily Affirmative Action for the 1 Percent
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Jul 27, 2023 
David Leonhardt, a Senior Writer for The New York Times, uncovers the surprising favoritism toward the wealthy in elite college admissions. He discusses how recent studies reveal systemic advantages for affluent applicants, even among peers with similar qualifications. The podcast highlights the influence of legacy admissions and athletic recruitment practices in maintaining social inequalities. Leonhardt challenges the ideal of meritocracy and emphasizes the urgent need for reforms in the admissions landscape to promote true economic diversity.
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Wealth-Based Advantage
- Wealthy students possess better academic qualifications on average.
- Yet, elite colleges give them further advantages over similar middle/low-income students.
The 9% Advantage
- 9% of Ivy Plus students are from the top 1%, admitted for reasons beyond academic merit.
- These students would likely be replaced by less affluent peers with similar qualifications.
Ultra-Wealthy Advantage
- Students from the top 0.1% are twice as likely to be admitted as those with average incomes and the same qualifications.
- This starkly demonstrates an advantage for the ultra-wealthy.