Not overzealous, overall: Cliff Sjogren clarifies his stance on overhauling the admissions process, and strikes a blow for those who are editorialized, everywhere - Controversy

University Business, March, 2004 by Cliff Sjogren

IN OUR JANUARY 2004 ISSUE, THE EDITOR'S NOTE, "OVERZEALOUS Overhaul?" took a look at "A Radical Plan for a Simplification of the College Admission Process," a proposal penned by University of Michigan ex-director of Admission, Cliff Sjogren, and brought to the general awareness by Washington Post columnist Jay Matthews in his Nov. 25 column. Mr. Sjogren's commentary here is a response to the University Business editorial, authored by Editorial Director Katherine Grayson. To review the text of the editorial, head to www.universitybusiness.com, and click on the January issue editor's note.

I was pleased to read your well-thought-out critique of the Jay Matthews' Washington Post piece about my concerns on present-day admission practices. Also, I agree with almost every- thing you wrote! I should like, however, to clarify my thinking in a few areas. But first, a qualification: I don't know it you followed the link in Matthews' column to my original notes. Those notes (not a "paper") were written as preparation for an interview session for the AACRAO publication, College and University, to be distributed soon. Thus, the piece did not get the editorial scrutiny it should have (little did I know that it would generate so much national attention!)

1--While I would do away with the "essays" as they are now de fined, I would invite the student to write a "statement" to bring to the Admission officer's attention anything he/she feels might seem relevant to the decision. That would be much more meaningful, I believe, than an essay on a politically correct or esoteric topic that for a fee could be edited, or even written by an online professional service. (Explained in my "notes.")

2--Likewise, the counselor would write a "statement" to the admission officer's attention about anything he/she feels might seem relevant to the decision. Usually a sentence or two, or a paragraph, at most, would suffice. I have read hundreds of one- and two-page "recommendations" that were worthless, more so since the enactment of FERPA which gives students access to their records. (Also, let's not let the ability of the counselor to write beautiful prose influence the decision. Good counselors spend more time working with students and less on sharpening their writing skills!) Cliche-ridden recommendations and purchased essays would contribute nothing to the decision, but sincere statements on the student's background from the student and the counselor could be helpful.

3--Interviews are okay as a way to provide information. However, as an assessment tool, they come into question for several reasons, including the "chemistry" between interviewer and student, shyness versus assertiveness, experience, sophistication of the applicant, access to the university, coaching, etc....

My notes linked to Jay's article will give more background on my thoughts, and the AACRAO interview should provide even more. My long and continuing experience with the International Baccalaureate has influenced my feelings immensely on this topic. These students present a strong academic background in both depth and breadth, do community service, write a 4,000-word research paper evaluated externally, and have an enviable college performance record. The challenge, then, is to find a better way to assess the student's high school record, which I address in my notes.

If my notes do nothing more than motivate a few universities to take a hard look at the way they do things, I will be happy. I am saddened when I read that a state-supported undergraduate admission office is spending several million (yes, million) dollars to enroll a few thousand students, where maybe 80 percent or so of the applicants are "slam dunks," or either clearly admissible or non-admissible. Let's use that money to support students from low-income families.

As an admission officer, I looked for clues to character. What has the student done to overcome obstacles? In what ways has the student distinguished herself? These items can be revealed in ways that could be much more student-centered and efficient.

Cliff Sjogren is an ex-director of Admission at the University of Michigan (1973-1988), and the former dean of Admission and Financial Aid at the University of Southern California (1989-1993).