Colleges often use affirmative action or another means to promote diversity on their campuses. However, many criticize colleges for admitting less qualified candidates to meet their criteria for achieving diversity. .
Critics claim that some students that are more qualified-those who attended better high schools, have higher GPAs and test scores, etc.-are often times rejected because less qualified minority students take their spots. While there is certainly research to back up this claim, it seems that people forget that a student of diverse background can bring as much to the table as one with a higher GPA. There is a reason colleges take a number of things into consideration when selecting their freshman class. If they didn't see the value of having a diverse campus, every student would have a 4.0 high school GPA and perfect test scores. .
Instead, colleges see students' background and history of achievements as a promise of not just diversity, but of academic success. As is the case with many minorities, one student may have gone to a less rigorous public school, and even gotten slightly lower grades and test scores. Perhaps he grew up in a poor community, but his background shows that he's maximized the resources given to him to do well in school. This student, according to the cookie cutter version, is not a competitive applicant. But he shows a history of a strong work ethic and perseverance in school. Admissions officers should see that he could bring value to their college. Work ethic, dedication, and perseverance are as important factors that determine academic success as are GPAs and the other more obvious admissions criteria. And a student who shows promise of academic success, given the right tools, should be just as appealing as the typical competitive student.
The virtues of diversity on a college campus are similar to those in society in general. The most obvious of benefits is the uplifting of those that are marginalized in society.