Andre's College Application

By Elliot Washor, Samuel Steinberg Seidel, & Andre Bradley

It’s important not to let the facts get in the way of the truth.
David Simon,
creator of the television series “The Wire”

You are a college-admissions officer charged with a difficult task—accepting a cohort of students that will be a good match for your institution. You want bright, well-rounded students who will successfully graduate in four years. Of course, the group should be diverse—racially, socioeconomically, geographically. Ideally, every one of these young adults will go on to be recognized for his or her contributions to society.

You have two folders on your desk. Each contains an application for admission to your college. There is one spot left in the incoming freshman class. Applicant No. 1 has a grade point average of 2.1. His ACT score in math is 16; in English it’s 19 (both out of a possible 36). His high school transcript shows he has acquired the necessary Carnegie units. He played no varsity sports, but does have community-service experience. His letters of...