Topic: College Admissions

US appeals court strikes down Michigan ban on affirmative action (+video)

While the 8-7 ruling on affirmative action did not address the constitutionality of race-conscious admissions to college, the majority said Michigan's prohibition on the policy 'places special burdens on racial minorities.'

10 must-read books about higher education in America

Check out these 10 books for a thorough grounding in where higher education stands in the US today.

Sons' Harvard rejection: Parents sue an admissions consultant

After their sons were rejected from Harvard, angry parents sued a US-based college admissions consultant for promising to get their two sons into the school and failing.

Supreme Court: In affirmative action arguments, conservative bloc seems united

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday on an affirmative-action plan at the University of Texas, and Justice Anthony Kennedy, the likely swing vote, appeared skeptical.

Poll: 57 percent of Millennials oppose racial preferences for college, hiring

The poll comes a week before the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of the use of race in admissions to the University of Texas at Austin.

Opinion: Supreme Court: After health care ruling, court must rule against affirmative action

Another blockbuster case will follow the Supreme Court ruling on the health care law known as Obamacare. Next term the court will hear Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. The court should tell universities they must stop judging applicants by the color of their skin and national origin.

Lesson in UCLA error: Make sure that acceptance letter is for real.

UCLA has already apologized for mistakenly notifying 894 wait-listed college seniors that they'd been admitted. It's not the first or worst such case, and it won't be the last, say experts.

Groundhog Day in court? California ban on affirmative action is upheld. Again.

A three-judge panel from the Ninth US Circuit cited a 1997 appeals court decision upholding the affirmative action ban, which led to a sharp decline in minority enrollment at California state universities.

How Supreme Court ruling on Texas could reduce affirmative action across US

The Supreme Court, which has shifted to the right, may use the Texas case to overturn the 2003 decision that achieving classroom diversity could justify the use of race-based affirmative action.

Affirmative action in college admissions goes back before Supreme Court

US Supreme Court is taking an affirmative action case about the University of Texas admissions policy, which permits race to be a factor in deciding which applicants are admitted.

Five shifts among college freshmen: For one, they're more studious

A survey of college freshmen reports an uptick in study time and a bit less partying. Here's a look at ways first-time freshmen depart from previous freshman classes.

Crazy U: One Dad’s Crash Course on Getting His Kid into College

A father rides out his son’s college admissions process.

Five mistakes to avoid on your college application

College application deadlines are looming for millions of high school seniors, and younger students are already thinking ahead. The Monitor checked in with counselors and admissions officers to get their take on some of the most common mistakes students make when preparing for and applying to college.

Want higher SAT scores? Five ways to prep.

Options for boosting your SAT scores range from a free sample SAT test to $1,000 prep courses. Do they really help?

Harvard hoax: Adam Wheeler case points to rise of student fraud

Student Adam Wheeler is accused of masterminding a Harvard hoax, using fake documents to get into the university and secure financial aid. Student fraud is an growing problem, experts say.

Opinion: College admissions: What matters most -- SAT scores, grades, or just luck?

College admissions is more subjective than you might think. It wasn't that long ago that Ivy League schools tried to keep out Jewish applicants.

Classic review: The Chosen

Why being smart won't necessarily get you into Harvard.

How to keep your teen safe on the Internet

Talking about the consequences of posting pictures or phone numbers on Facebook, rather than banning the technology entirely, is the best way to help teens use the Internet safely, a new consumer protection guide from the Federal Trade Commission says.

Admission

An Ivy League admissions officer worries about her school’s eager applicants, even as she struggles with a past secret of her own.

Teens rate their college chances online

The Monitor's View: Shelve the S.A.T?

It's up to colleges to stop the frenzy over the SAT and ACT.

Focus less on the S.A.T., study tells colleges

Exams tied to school curricula may be a viable alternative for admissions assessment, a year-long study says.

Does new S.A.T. help with admissions decisions?

The College Board releases a positive report on the writing section, but many schools are doing their own studies.

New drive to ban race preferences

Initiatives in three states would prohibit affirmative action in public realms.

New drive to ban race preferences

Initiatives in three states would prohibit affirmative action in public realms.