The University lowers its admissions standards when evaluating applications submitted by the children of celebrities, claims Pulitzer Prize-winning Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Golden in his new book, titled "The Price of Admission." Golden's book, which was released Wednesday by Random House, is subtitled "How America's Ruling Class Buys Its Way into Elite Colleges - and Who Gets Left Outside the Gates."
Golden investigates admissions criteria other than academic accomplishments that selective private colleges and universities use when selecting students.
For example, in one chapter Golden describes Harvard University's tendency to admit a disproportionate number of legacy students, particularly those whose parents give generous donations. He singles out Duke University as seeking applicants with wealthy parents seen as likely to contribute financially to the school.
In a chapter focused almost exclusively on Brown, Golden writes that "no university in the country has practiced celebrity admissions more assiduously or successfully."
Golden lists several high-profile admits who matriculated to Brown over the past three decades, including Chris Ovitz, son of Hollywood mogul Michael Ovitz, and John F. Kennedy Jr. '83, son of former President John F. Kennedy. He alleges these students were ultimately accepted despite mediocre academic records because of their high-profile names.
"Premier universities look to these children to generate attention - the favorable buzz that can boost applications, draw coverage in People magazine and other media, thrill alumni and turn a place such as Brown into a 'hot' school despite a lagging endowment and blue-collar surroundings," Golden writes. "In the incessant academic competition for newsworthy speakers at commencement exercises and other ceremonies, colleges often grab the limelight and one-up their rivals by enlisting celebrity parents..."
The Office of Admission refused to comment on the records of specific students.
"Brown University considers the information submitted by its applicants to be strictly confidential. Therefore, the University will not comment on the admissions credentials of any individual student," Dean of Admission Jim Miller '73 said in a statement.
According to several students, there is limited evidence that Brown favors the children of celebrities, who they said have little effect on campus life.
"I don't know any celebrity children; I can't see that at all," Alexandra Dreyzin '09 said. "I don't think Brown would need the reputation boost," she added, saying she believes the University enjoys a positive public image even without high-profile students and parents.
Still, Dreyzin said she would understand why admissions officers might be inclined to view applications from the children of celebrities differently.
"I do see justification for it," she said.
Paul Savitz '08 also said relaxing standards for such applicants may be acceptable to a certain extent.
"The more you maintain connections with wealthy segments of the population, the more you're likely to get donations and grants for the school, like for the Boldly Brown campaign," he said.
Savitz, however, went on to say there should be a balance between serving the University's interests from a financial standpoint and evaluating applicants' solely on academic merit.
"If you go too far in (favoring the children of celebrities), you sacrifice your reputation as a great institution of academic learning," he said.
In terms of Brown's alleged propensity to admit celebrities, Savitz said, "I haven't noticed that Brown does this more frequently than any other elite college, but I have noticed that elite colleges do this very often."
The Office of Admission stands by all of its decisions. "Brown has a thorough and highly individualized admissions process that considers a wide range of factors to determine which applicants are accepted," Miller said. "All students at Brown are admitted because the University believes they are qualified, can meet the rigorous demands of our academic program and will be active and contributing members of our community."
