To the editor: Your editorial, which denounces early decision admissions at colleges and universities, as with much recent reporting on higher education, ignores the reality that private schools (and many public ones) are businesses dependent on wealthier families. who can pay full tuition to be able to study. Offer discounts for families with financial needs.
Schools also rely on donors, who are the primary source of financial aid that benefits students who need that help. It is typical for a private university to have 30% students on full salary in order to provide financial aid to the 70% of students who need it.
Financial aid dollars don’t grow on trees; They come from wealthier donors and families. Without them, there would be no financial aid.
Stephen Rountree, Pasadena
The writer is former president of the board of trustees of Occidental College.
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To the editor: After reading your article about admissions practices used by “privileged students,” it becomes obvious that the best way to spread this privilege is to ensure that all students have equal access.
This can be achieved more quickly and equitably by ensuring that all students receive the same quality of secondary education.
Actually, how we do this is quite simple: give all parents and students a choice in their education. Give students a voucher and let them choose the school they want to attend. Let them choose public, private, parochial or home school. That way no one will be discriminated against.
Obviously, it will be a few years before some of the public schools close and other institutions take over their facilities and hire more teachers. But this can be solved.
If you believe your own editorial, support the school choice movement today.
Kevin Minihan, Los Angeles
