Reader Response Anne Banducci ’08

I was dismayed to see the reactions of some alumni to President Paxson’s thoughtful affirmation of diversity in the recent BAM. Many suggested the only criteria for admissions should be grades and test scores. I recall former President Simmons stating during my convocation ceremony in 2004 that the University could have accepted an entire class of students with perfect SATs. Then she said other factors were relevant in creating a vibrant, talented, undergraduate class. In that moment, it felt like she was talking to me.

I certainly did not have perfect SATs, but still succeeded at Brown. Indeed, SAT scores are more strongly correlated with socioeconomic status than actual academic abilities. As someone whose parents’ combined salaries were less than the price of Brown’s annual tuition, it may be the case that my economic status impacted my test scores. I have to guess the admissions committee cared about my extracurricular activities and engagement with my community, or appreciated my application essay where I wrote about what it is like to have a sibling with autism. 

There are many factors admissions committees consider, including geographic region, legacy admissions, athletic abilities, and extracurriculars. I am left wondering why some alumni are so outraged at the idea of race/ethnicity being one of the myriad factors considered, when they are mum when it comes to factors like legacy admissions or recruitment of athletes. 

I like to think that despite my less than perfect background, my Brown education set the stage for excellence, which has included completing my PhD in clinical psychology, publishing 30-plus peer-reviewed manuscripts, and providing therapy for veterans with PTSD and substance use disorders. I hope Brown continues to have the ability to evaluate all factors, including race/ethnicity, that create an innovative, exciting, and diverse student body.