ERIC Number: ED672305
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Dec
Pages: 60
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Inequality beyond Standardized Tests: Trends in Extracurricular Activity Reporting in College Applications across Race and Class. EdWorkingPaper No. 23-749
Julie J. Park; Brian Heseung Kim; Nancy Wong; Jia Zheng; Stephanie Breen; Pearl Lo; Dominique J. Baker; Kelly Rosinger; Mike Hoa Nguyen; OiYan Poon
Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University
For years, discussions on inequality in college admissions have addressed standardized tests, but less is known about inequality in non-standardized components of applications. We analyzed extracurricular activity descriptions in 6,054,104 applications submitted through the Common Application using natural language processing methods. Overall, White, Asian American, wealthier, and private school students reported more activities, top-level leadership roles, and distinctive accomplishments (e.g., honors, awards). However, there was little to no difference in the percentage of activities with top-level leadership roles for different racial/ethnic groups. Disparities decrease when controlling for key variables, but salient differences related to race and class remain. Findings do not necessarily support a return to required standardized tests or ending consideration of activities in admissions. Implications are discussed.
Descriptors: College Applicants, Admission Criteria, College Admission, Portfolios (Background Materials), College Entrance Examinations, Extracurricular Activities, Enrollment Influences, Racial Factors, Socioeconomic Influences, Social Justice, Equal Education
Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: annenberg@brown.edu; Web site: https://annenberg.brown.edu/
Related Records: EJ1464745
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Authoring Institution: Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Data File: URL: https://github.com/brhkim/extracurricular_trends_common_app
Author Affiliations: N/A