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.
A major new study has revealed just how much elite colleges admissions in the U.S. systematically favor the rich and the superrich.
David Leonhardt, a senior writer for The Times and The Morning, walks through the data and explains why the study is fueling calls to abandon longstanding practices like legacy admissions.
Guest: David Leonhardt, a senior writer for The New York Times and The Morning.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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