Sociology
The Social Construction of Meritocracy in Educational Admissions
Quick fact
When elite universities began admitting students in the early 20th century, they didn't use standardized tests—instead, legacy admissions and recommendations from alumni and clergy were the norm. The shift to 'merit-based' testing (like the SAT) was in part a response to concerns about the changing demographics of applicants, yet research shows these tests still favor students from wealthier families.
Why this is interesting
We often hear that a student 'earned' their place at a top university. But what if the very definition of 'earning' is rigged long before the application is even written?