Guiding Hopefuls

Back in the 1960s the rapid increase in college admission applications nationally gave rise to a genre of books which tended to capitalize on the fears and anxieties of the college-bound and their parents. A few of these literary perennials have survived those heady years, but as the proportion of college students enrolling full-time began to decrease steadily in 1968, such books fell mostly out of favor.

However, the college admissions crunch within the private sector of higher education has not exactly disappeared in the 19705, and contrary to many dire predictions the Ivy League schools and two or three dozen others have been able to maintain a high degree of student selectivity. It is the 100,000 candidates, more or less, who now apply annually to these highly com- petitive schools, to which this book is primarily directed. It is basically another "guide book" which purports to help the aspiring Ivy Leaguer (or whatever) find happiness and the full life by means of a successful college application.

There are several features which are deserving of attention. It is remarkably readable. The authors have mastered the language and style of the selective admissions process and present a thoroughly comprehensible translation. The topics covered are wide-ranging and always relevant to the main issue. The reader will be rewarded by excellent chapters on the history of selectivity within the Ivies, the role of the private secondary school, and the "unvarnished" campus visit.

Other topics covered include an inside look at a selective admissions office and its staff, testing, college costs and financial aid, alumni and the selection process, athletes and "jockettes" (how much of an advantage do they really have?), and the search for diversity. Disappointingly, the chapter "For Parents Only" covers barely five pages. While one could hardly take issue with what the authors have to say, parental concern and influence-with respect to prestige colleges would seem to call for more counsel and hand-holding than what has been provided.

In spite of its commendable readability and comprehensiveness, one must raise the question as to why the book was written. The emotionally trying business of "getting into" one of these selective colleges may only be exacerbated by this how-to book, since it is doubtful that the information provided could improve or otherwise enhance a candidate's chances of being offered admission. It explains methodically how decisions are made, but such revelations only help to perpetuate the myth that a first-rate education can only be acquired in a few selective institutions.

The "elitist" colleges which are the focus of selective admissions today are carrying forward the important tradition of training tomorrow's leaders, and in doing so they need not apologize for a procurement procedure which rewards both accomplishment and potential. This book will provide the interested observer - candidate, parent, alumnus, or counselor - with an excellent understanding of the rationale for a selective process, but he or she shouldn't look for a short-cut to the promised land. Any walls will have to be scaled, as always, without the benefit of outside help.

SCALING THE IVY WALLBy Howard R. Greene '59and Robert MintonAbelard-Schuman, 1975. 290 pp. $7.95

Now associate director of Dartmouth's bequestprogram, Mr. Logan was from 1962 to 1973dean of admissions at Antioch College.