Colleges to Women: We Don’t Want You May 4, 2009

Back in the day, women attending college were a rarity. And we’re not talking about the 18th or 19th century. Even as late as the 1970’s, women were not allowed to attend some of America’s most prestigious universities.

Today, less than 40 years later, there are more women college undergraduates than men. In fact, some schools think there are too many of them, and are altering their admissions standards to keep them out.

A growing number of schools including Swarthmore, Kenyon, Towson, and University of Richmond are unabashedly rejecting talented and qualified female applicants simply because they are girls.

Overall the female undergraduate population has grown to over 57% of the total undergraduate population. It’s been creeping up in recent years. The College of New Jersey is 58% female. Drew is up to 60%. Seton Hall is 56/44 women over men.

Many colleges fear that when their student body reaches 60% women, men will shy away from the school because they don’t want to be outnumbered. As a result, some schools are tilting the playing field so that it’s easier for men to get accepted.

According to “The College Solution” book, Swarthmore College “recently accepted 21.2% of its male applicants, but just 15.2% of the women who applied.” Similarly, the University of Richmond took 44.9% of male applicants versus only 37.1% of girls.

Fortunately, the news isn’t all bad for girls. Because there are some schools – predominantly the science and engineering focused institutions – where the tables are turned and female applicants have a competitive advantage.

“The College Solution” tells us that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology “accepted 22.3% of women, but just 9.7% of men. Carnegie Mellon University recently accepted 31.6% of its male applicants and 37.5% of the women.”

Some New Jersey colleges where girls might enjoy preferable treatment include Stevens Institute (76% men, 24% women) and New Jersey Institute of Technology (79% men, 21% women).