But some people are so invested in the notion that white and ( certain) Asian people —especially males—are discriminated against because they are no longer first in line for all good things that they feel compelled to bring up MCAT scores in a totally unrelated discussion.
I think you're missing the core concept of the complaint.
It's not that white males are no longer first in line. It's the impression that other groups are being placed first in line, rather than everyone having an equal shot at the line.
For some people, including me, we were raised to believe that race should not be a factor at all - neither for nor against. It certainly seems that DEI objectives nowadays include race as a decision-making factor, and that it weights in favor of some races.
Now, it certainly could be that some people who object only object due to racism. I think it's also the case that a lot of people who object aren't at all racist, but rather they believe that the policies are specifically seeking to privilege some races above others.
Policies have always been set, both explicitly and implicitly, to favor a particular gender and race and perceived sexual orientation. Historically—in fact until not very long ago the preferred candidates were: Straight, white and male. Preferably Christian or Christian adjacent, preferably not Catholic and not Jewish. Within some communities, those who did not fit that niche, some were able to rise to positions of influence, power and wealth.
For a lot of perfectly nice people, the perception that the only reason straight white male is no longer the first in line is that others are being given preferential treatment—and ignoring the fact that their perception has been based upon the long established precedent of straight white male being the best choice.
I’ve talked with enough admissions counselors to know that admissions seeks to built a class that does not reflect the same very narrow world that most incoming first year students are accustomed to—but to bring together people of diverse backgrounds and experiences and talents. Because the world is a big wonderful place full of of many different kinds of people and that their talents, skills, ambitions, and abilities are not allocated by race, gender, sexual orientation ration/expression , class, ethnicity, first language or country where they or their parents or grandparents were born.
Otherwise, college ( or professional school) is really not much different than high school.
I’ll bet most of us learned a lot after high school from people who were a lot different t than our high school classmates.
And if you didn’t, then it’s because you weren’t really trying—and that’s on you.
Aren’t we all tired of the same two or three movies, with the same damn plot, just cast with slightly different actors? Switching it up to put women in traditionally male roles in the same 2-3 plots anymore than casting the next version with black or Asian actors doesn’t improve the plot or quality of the project.
That said, Ghost Busters with Hemsworth as the sexy secretary was a hoot and a half.
But still: Universities and Med schools, law schools, vet schools, grad and professional schools gave a lot riding on admitting students who will be successful.
Not every important or necessary quality is reflected in GPA or MCAT scores. Which do not matter at all after you are admitted. Seriously: Do you know your doctor’s MCAT scores? Or even where they attended medical school? Does that matter?
