Equity and Excellence in American Higher Education

Socioeconomic class differences in higher education remain one of the most long-standing barriers to ensuring access and opportunity for all Americans. Panelists at this briefing will discuss this challenge and data put forth by authors William G. Bowen, Martin A. Kurzweil, and Eugene M. Tobin in their new book, Equity and Excellence in American Higher Education (University of Virginia Press, 2005). The authors’ research shows that the odds of making it into the pool of credible applicants to selective colleges and universities are significantly lower for students from poor families and students who are first generation college-goers.

The authors make the case for selective colleges giving an admissions boost—a “thumb on the scale”—to students from low-income and first-generation college backgrounds, as a complement to race sensitive admissions. Panelists will take questions from the audience following their remarks. This event is made possible with support from the Brookings Institution, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Association of American Universities, Council of Independent Colleges, Princeton Club of Washington, and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.