TED Talks Daily What makes a "good college" -- and why it matters | Cecilia M. Orphan
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May 18, 2023 Cecilia M. Orphan challenges the obsession with exclusive universities and their acceptance rates. She highlights the harmful effects of this myth on accessibility in higher education. The discussion advocates for recognizing regional public universities that serve diverse populations and promote equity. By shifting our focus on what constitutes prestige, there's a call to redirect funding toward schools that genuinely create opportunities for all students.
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Higher Education's Obsession
- Higher education faces a problem: an obsession with highly rejective colleges.
- This obsession hinders equity, transformation, and accessibility goals.
Prestige vs. Rejection
- So-called "prestigious" universities are better described as "highly rejective" due to their limited acceptance rates.
- This rejection is driven by capacity limits, not necessarily applicant merit.
Personal Experience with College Perception
- Cecilia M. Orphan, a first-generation college graduate, felt judged for attending Portland State University.
- She now researches how perceptions of "good" colleges shape decisions.