Switched-On Magazine

The chance to further one's education is an opportunity that, once taken advantage of, opens many doors to a multitude of other opportunities that were previously locked to a person, in a place where merit would take precedence over all else: the university. So, why is it that so many struggle while others glide through? As seen in light of the controversy concerning the University of Illinois allowing VIP students in even though they had bad grades, it's because those that do the gliding step on the toes of the ones struggling. It's been well know that there are various factors that affect one's admittance to college, no matter how spectacular their academic record may be. There is: race, whether we would like to believe it or not; gender; financial status; and of course, and most unfortunately, who you know and what they can do for you. In a system so corrupt, it is neither hard to find that these illicit practices do happen nor surprising how frequently they do happen or how widespread the damage can go. A school has a quota, and everyone is expected to wait in line to meet it. The ones that choose not to can't always be stopped, as shown by the severity of the University of Illinois situation where many students, qualified students, were denied acceptance over the favor of another. This is a problem that shouldn't continue to go overlooked.

While the university has attempted to redeem itself by encouraging the unfairly admitted students to give up their positions we have to realize that this isn't the only institution where this is happening, as well as that this wouldn't be happening as frequently as it does if it were not for the motivation of teens, young adults. True, most people have an idea, or even a dream of where they wish to end up, though it's important to see that not everyone can get exactly what they want. Though just because you have political connections it doesn't mean that you have to use them at all. You'd think merit, or even self  opinion would win out over this sort of thing. Maybe someday it will, but for now it seems that people are more concerned with how to get from point A to point B rather then why they're making the trip in the first place. Though it shouldn't be, money seems as if it will always be an issue. It makes a difference, separates people, as differences always do, by class. At least in college money doesn't have to dictate the class you graduate with.