The New College Try by Jerome Karabel - Assignment Example

Letter to the 901 Eaglewood Parkway, Eaglewood APT M305, Denver, Co 80110. 10/19/2009 The New York Times 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018. Dear Editor, This is in support of and in reply to the article in your daily under the title “The New College Try” by Jerome Karabel. First, I would like to point out that it was a thoroughly convincing article on one of the most relevant topics of the day concerning the education sector in the country. All over the world, the Americans’ belief in the equality of opportunity is acknowledged and it is a nation which safeguards the interest of everyone. In his article, Jerome Karabel brings to the notice of the readers across the globe that the leading colleges and universities in the US play a pivotal role in strengthening the Americans’ belief that “everyone, regardless of how humble his origins, has a chance to rise to the top.” Thus, the author considers these colleges and universities as major pathways to power and privilege and, based on this point, he deals with the serious problems in securing admissions to these institutions across the socioeconomic spectrum. He maintains in the article that these institutions serve less as vehicles of upward mobility than as transmitters of privilege from generation to generation and the argument has a national and international relevance today. According to Karabel, “Today, the competition to get into these institutions is at an all-time high, and this has led to serious problems across the socioeconomic spectrum — gnawing and pervasive anxiety among the affluent, underrepresentation among the middle classes and an almost total lack of access among the poor.” (Karabel) The author further maintains that the selective colleges serve less as vehicles of upward mobility than as transmitters of privilege from generation to generation, notwithstanding their image as meritocratic beacons of opportunity. Therefore, I agree with the author and support his argument that admission to these institutions causes a serious issue across the socioeconomic spectrum of the nation today. it is essential that determining steps are taken by the authorities to resolve this issue and to improve the image of these institutions as meritocratic beacons of opportunity. A reflective analysis of the article by Jerome Karabel confirms that the author makes a highly relevant discussion on the lack of opportunity for some sections of the society to get into our leading colleges and universities. As an individual who has witnessed such cases of the people in my friend circle, I totally agree with the author’s arguments. I also confirm my solidarity to the original intention of the author in writing this important article. It is important to note that the author has been able to provide convincing evidences to show how skewed the admission system of these institutions is toward the already advantaged. According to him, it “is illustrated by the findings of a recent study of 146 selective colleges and universities, which concluded that students from the top quartile of the socioeconomic hierarchy (based on parental income, education and occupation) are 25 times more likely to attend a “top tier” college than students from the bottom quartile.” (Karabel) As the author maintains, these selective colleges have frequently claimed that they give an edge in admissions to disadvantaged students, regardless of race. However, as the article suggests, William Bowen, the former president of Princeton, and his associates discovered, in a rigorous study of 19 selective colleges, that applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds, whether defined by family income or parental education, ‘get essentially no break in the admissions process.’ (Karabel) All these evidences that the author provides to support his arguments remind me of the experience of my friends who were neglected admission to such institutions for such ridiculous reasons. In conclusion, Jerome Karabel’s article has a vital point to establish and the arguments of the author are greatly relevant across the socioeconomic spectrum of our nation today. I strongly share the feeling of the author and recommend the social action to deal with this serious issue to the socioeconomic spectrum of America. More and more public attention should be drawn to this serious problem affecting our great belief that “everyone, no matter how humble his origins, has a chance to rise to the top.” Sincerely, Ahmad Al-Marzouqi Work Cited Karabel, Jerome. “The New College Try.” Opinion. The New York Times. 2007. Oct 21. 2009. . WRITER’S MEMO 1. What is your main argument and how is it supported? My main argument is that Jerome Karabel’s article has a vital point to establish and the arguments of the author are greatly relevant across the socioeconomic spectrum of our nation today 2. Who is your intended audience? What are their general attitudes, interests, etc.? The intended audience includes the readers of the ‘Letter to Editor’ who are affected by the inequality prevalent in the education sector of the country. 3. What assumptions do you make about your audience in terms of their knowledge and beliefs? The intended audience must be very much aware of the issues concerning admission to the universities of the US which are discussed across the socioeconomic spectrum of our nation today. I feel that they also have the same opinion as me, because the issues discussed by Jerome Karabel are very common today. 4. What assumptions made by the author of the editorial/article have you responded to and how? I responded to the author’s argument in the article that the top universities and colleges in the US serve less as vehicles of upward mobility than as transmitters of privilege from generation to generation. 5. How have you used logos and ethos in your letter? How have you used pathos, if at all? Yes, I’ve used pathos to arouse readers’ strong response to the pertinent issue. 6. What is the general tone of your letter? The general one of the letter is that of agreement and support to the arguments in the article by Jerome Karabel. 7. What is the most effective part of your letter? The most effective part of the letter is where I strongly argue, with examples from personal experiences, that there is pertinent inequality in the process of admission to the universities in the country. 8. What area might need improvement? The arguments could be supported more effectively and I needed to avoid repetition of the ideas. Read More