The New York Times opined on September 7, 2019, that legacy in college admissions should end. Many institutions give admission credit, some would call it preferential treatment, to “legacies,” those students who are the offspring or relatives of previous graduates—a “who you know” benefit. The Times claims that 75% of the students at Ivy League schools have legacy relationships; however, studies often show only modest advantage for legacy admits. One of 1,200 commenters on the New York Times op-ed was a Dartmouth legacy, that was not admitted to Dartmouth. She had to settle for MIT, a “legacy-free” institution. Valuable programs on university campuses proudly support first-generation college-goers. Being one myself, I carried little frommy family life that prepared me for college other than the idea that hard work, tenacity, and grit are all invaluable in personal achievement. I think Gail Borden understood that, but I’m not sure the editorial board of the New York Times gets it. Students from prosperous and populous places have access to more college-prep courses, higher- level offerings in mathematics and science, and other seeming advantages provided by circumstances of geography. There are different benefits of geography in places like Gail. The McMeans family is evidence of that. Not only have four generations of that family made meaningful contributions to the local and extended communities, but they are leaving a living legacy of place.
Students from prosperous and populous places have access to more college-prep courses, higher-level offerings inmathematics and science, and other seeming advantages provided by circumstances of geography. There are different benefits of geography in places like Gail.
On our way into Gail, Zach saw a man in a nondescript pickup. He pointed to the truck and the gentleman driving it, saying, “That’s the County Sheriff.” Zach hasn’t lived in Gail for six years, but he still knows the people of the community and they know him. When we entered the Coyote Country Store and Café, Zach was greeted by the owner, a former school teacher.
She said but one word as we entered this remarkable place to eat: “Zacho!”
If you visit a college campus and the people on the campus don’t appear to appreciate the place, have a commitment to it, know something of its history and its citizens, and demonstrate pride in being there, leave immediately. It will not be a good place to study. They don’t understand geographic legacy.
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