Evidence of favorable admission decisions definitely exists
Regarding 'Reporter Golden blasts unfair legacy admissions' (Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006):
I have seen what I suspect are favorable admission decisions for certain legacies that appear less qualified in the alumni school council interviews I conducted than with others who were denied. With knowledge of the legacy relationships, questionable patterns seem to emerge. Substantial giving and generational legacy ties seem to increase a below or average candidate's acceptance chances. Don't tell us money doesn't talk. But is that faith misjudged?
Does Princeton place unwarranted reliance on legacy families for contributions, or should they really be looking at future large donations by first-timers at Princeton? Many examples abound. President Tilghman's statements do seem misleading. Is there a small slice of each class that is quietly "for sale?"
Undergraduates may meet classmates who don't pass the intellectual and academic "smell test." Some names on campus buildings may elicit a wakeup call.
Daniel Golden's "The Price of Admission" hit a hot button. Perhaps he and Bill "Reclaiming the Game" Bowen GS '58 could team up with a sequel, "Leveling the Playing Field: A Higher Hurdle for Athletes and Legacies."
Laurence C. Day '55
Garden State is more than worth the trip
Regarding 'Having a car on campus' (Monday, Dec. 4, 2006):
While I agree with Neel Gehani '07 on the convenience of going to college instate, I feel that value exists on a different level from the pernicious criticisms his friends reflexively employ.
Next time Gehani's out-of-state friends ride the largest statewide mass-transit system in the nation, they should take a closer look at one of those supposedly "dismal industrial areas" along the Northeast Corridor Line. Is that Merck laboratory, where test batches of new medicines are made (near Linden)? Or is that the largest seaport on the East Coast (Ports of Newark and Elizabeth)? Or maybe you're looking at a one of the nation's finest teaching and research hospitals Robert Wood Johnson (New Brunswick)?
And what if there are plain-old factories? Putting heavy industry near a transit corridor makes good sense. Would you prefer New Jersey's citizens (with the highest incomes in the nation!) build their mansions right next to the tracks, rather than along our 137 miles of scenic coastline and among the woods that still cover 40 percent of the state?
This state has nothing to apologize for. Look how far all the Jersey-maligners travel to get here. The Garden State is worth the trip.
Aaron Buchman '08
Swim team deserves and expects better from 'Prince' sports
Regarding 'Princeton hosts Big Al Invite' (Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006):
The Daily Princetonian asserts that the swim team's performance over the weekend was "generally mediocre." In fact, the swim team performed extremely well against nationally ranked teams. Rather than providing an accurate report of the competition which took place at Denunzio Pool this weekend, the article is a testament to the 'Prince's' lack of knowledge regarding swimming.
The men's team finished in a strong third place against No. 14 ranked Tennessee and No. 18 ranked Virginia, plus five other teams. Though competing against shaved and rested scholarship athletes, multiple Tigers were able to place into the A final throughout the weekend, swimming season best times without the benefit of a full taper or shave. The women fared similarly, with many swimmers placing among the top eight.
The 'Prince' did not even bother to seek comments from the captains or coaches of the swim team. This was our biggest meet of the fall season, and we were extremely proud of the way we performed.
Athletes are among the hardest working Princetonians, balancing their academic loads with some 20 hours of practice a week. We deserve and expect better of the 'Prince's' Sports department.
Meir Hasbani '07 Co-Captain, Men's Swim Team
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Keep academic authority in human hands
Lily Halbert-AlexanderThe Trump administration’s attacks on research and higher education as well as a blind reliance on AI chatbots are reflective of a societal backslide: a commodification of knowledge that prioritizes “efficiency” over the messy process of getting to an answer, where nuances are flattened and the truth is fungible.
The Trump administration’s attacks on research and higher education as well as a blind reliance on AI chatbots are reflective of a societal backslide: a commodification of knowledge that prioritizes “efficiency” over the messy process of getting to an answer, where nuances are flattened and the truth is fungible.
What do we owe society for a Princeton education?
Jia Cheng ShenThe social and moral responsibility that comes with receiving a degree subsidized by both private generosity and public trust is significant.
The social and moral responsibility that comes with receiving a degree subsidized by both private generosity and public trust is significant.
Notes from a so-called enemy’s classroom
Jennifer JenningsIt wasn’t revolutionary. It was homework. But it was homework that asked: how do we build schools that work for all kids? Inclusion, after all, is the “I” in DEI. That’s what we’re thinking about together. And caring about each other’s experiences and opportunities, it turns out, isn’t something you can outlaw.
It wasn’t revolutionary. It was homework. But it was homework that asked: how do we build schools that work for all kids? Inclusion, after all, is the “I” in DEI. That’s what we’re thinking about together. And caring about each other’s experiences and opportunities, it turns out, isn’t something you can outlaw.