Latest news with #universityadmissions
Wall Street Journal
16-07-2025
- Health
- Wall Street Journal
Dividing Doctors by Race
The Supreme Court banned racial preferences in university admissions, but finding ways to maintain them has become a cottage industry in higher education. Medical schools are among the frequent offenders, and a new report shows how schools have maintained different standards for applicants depending on their race. Do No Harm, a group that studies preferences in medicine, submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to 93 public medical schools for 2024 admissions data on race, undergraduate GPA, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, and whether or not the applicant was admitted. Twenty-three schools have responded so far, and the data suggests racial preferences are still going strong.
Khaleej Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
From Dh1,100 to Dh3,600: UAE student makes Ivy League admissions affordable
To address the high cost of international university admissions support, a student born and raised in Abu Dhabi has co-founded a consultancy to make top-tier university access more affordable for students. Mentra is positioning itself as a game-changer in helping students from the UAE, India, and the UK with admissions. The platform emerged from a realisation that while there is growing interest among students in the UAE to pursue education abroad — particularly in Ivy League and Russell Group institutions — the existing consultancy services are often expensive and out of reach for many middle-class families. The company, officially registered in the UK, was launched by Advait Arya, currently studying at the University of Warwick, alongside fellow university student Adityawardhan Gaikwad. Inspired by personal experience In an interview with Khaleej Times, Advait Arya said, "My journey applying to universities revealed how expensive and exclusionary college counselling can be. I was fortunate to receive the Crimson Education Fellowship, which provided me with $4,000 worth (over Dh14,500) of counselling. That experience opened my eyes to how inaccessible these services are to working-class families." This insight prompted him to build a solution that not only supports applicants but also creates flexible earning opportunities for current students at top universities. "I also noticed how students in top universities struggle to find flexible ways to earn money that fit academic workloads. Mentra allows mentors to set their own availability and earn income while helping others — a win-win." While traditional admissions consultants, especially in regions like the UAE and the US, often charge between $20,000 and $100,000 (approximately Dh73,400 - Dh367,000) for comprehensive support, Mentra offers complete application packages starting from just $800 to $1,000 (approximately Dh3,000 - Dh3,600). For those seeking more targeted help, services can cost as little as $300 (Dh1,101). "So, it's often 5 to 10 per cent of the cost, with the added benefit of being mentored by people who got into these schools recently," he added. Peer-led mentorship Advait believes this peer-led mentorship model is both effective and empowering. "They've recently gone through the same application processes, so their insights are fresher and more relevant than those of traditional consultants. They can offer insider knowledge about campus life, culture, and academic expectations — the kind of real-world info you can't Google." "If the student ends up attending the same university, they've already got a senior friend or contact on campus. It builds a community, not just a transaction," added the 20-year-old. Mentra is currently focusing on markets where the founding team has strong ties — India, the UAE, and the UK — with plans to scale cautiously to maintain quality. Funding from Warwick's Lord Rootes Memorial Fund and private contributors have helped the team invest in AI-based tools, mentor recruitment, and outreach to under-resourced schools. Services customised to need The platform offers a wide range of services, including UK personal statement writing, US Common App essays, SAT/ACT preparation, scholarship applications, extracurricular strategy, and more. Students can also opt for individual services tailored to their specific needs. "So far, we have supported over 100 students through mentors from institutions like the Ivy League, Oxbridge, LSE, Imperial, UCL, Warwick, and top Singaporean universities," Advait added. He admitted that building and running the platform alongside academic and internship commitments has not been easy. "It's definitely challenging; there have been many sleepless nights. Balancing internships, academic coursework, extracurricular activities, and Mentra requires discipline and a clear purpose. But because we genuinely enjoy the work and believe deeply in the mission, we manage to push through." Looking ahead, Mentra plans to expand its presence across UAE high schools and eventually enter the US high school space through its growing mentor network. "Launching AI-based counselling tools to enhance mentor guidance, partnering with high schools across India to offer free support to top students from underserved communities, expanding thoughtfully within the UAE, UK, and India… and in the near future, we plan to expand into US high schools via our mentor network there," he said. But Mentra's vision extends beyond just school applicants. "We're not just focused on school students; we're also building opportunities for university students to earn flexibly, build soft skills, and make an impact while studying. Our long-term vision is to create a full ecosystem where top mentors can support the next generation — affordably, accessibly, and authentically."
Free Malaysia Today
17-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Early guidance key to university admission success
A panel on equitable access to higher education today discussed how many students don't realise the competitiveness of certain university programmes before applying for them. PETALING JAYA : School counsellors and civil society groups play a critical role in helping students understand the university admissions process, said a panellist during a discussion on equitable access to higher education here. A member of the panel, Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman marketing and partnerships manager Raenuga Indran, also said that discussions about university options should start during Form 3 or 4, or immediately after SPM results are out, when students are more receptive. 'Access to information is a big predictor of student success,' said Raenuga. 'Counsellors and NGOs can make a huge difference in guiding students. 'Students preparing for SPM are too focused on exams to think about what comes next.' The panel discussion, which was organised by non-profit Architects of Diversity (AOD), also agreed that universities must be more transparent about admission requirements. One audience member suggested that universities publish anonymised data on the highest, lowest and median grades of accepted students. 'It would help applicants make smarter choices,' he said. He added that this push for data transparency could reduce student disappointment and help them choose between safer or more competitive options. Another panellist, Doria Abdullah from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), said many students did not realise how competitive certain programmes were. The senior lecturer noted that many students applied without knowing their chances of admission – a key weakness in the current university admission system. 'In 2013, getting into some engineering courses required a CGPA of 4.00,' she said. The third panellist, AOD executive director Jason Wee, said academic performance doesn't always predict course suitability. He also raised the growing problem of course-career mismatch, with students ending up in fields unrelated to their strengths or interests. The panel discussion followed the release of an AOD report which highlighted how debates about higher education often focused on two extremes – inherited privilege versus strict meritocracy. The report called for a more balanced approach. The AOD report also recommended giving students more information about non-university options, such as on the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) pathway, to expand their opportunities beyond traditional degree programmes.
Wall Street Journal
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
UCLA Medical School and Racial Bias
Racial preferences in university admissions ended in 2023, or did they? A lawsuit in federal court against the University of California Geffen Medical School is worth watching as an example of how schools are complying with the Supreme Court's decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. Late last week the groups Students for Fair Admissions and Do No Harm sued UCLA Geffen for bias in admissions. The class-action lawsuit, which is brought on behalf of students denied admission since 2020, says UCLA used different academic standards for applicants of different races to achieve racially balanced student classes.
Associated Press
07-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
U.S. News & World Report Expands Services in India
Global authority on education strategically invests in The Red Pen, a premier education consultancy WASHINGTON, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, a global leader in education rankings and data-driven insights, today announced a strategic investment in The Red Pen , India's premier education consultancy with an international presence. U.S. News is widely recognized for its unbiased journalism, data and rankings, which help students find the college or university that is right for them. The Red Pen offers personalized guidance on university selection, application strategy, and interview preparation. The Red Pen's expertise in international education will enhance U.S. News' understanding of the Indian landscape, enabling the development of more globally relevant content. Meanwhile, U.S. News' proprietary data and insights will strengthen The Red Pen's advisory services, providing students with a more comprehensive approach to admissions. Similar to U.S. News' acquisition of this investment helps shape a more strategic, hands-on approach to global university admissions. 'The Red Pen's expertise in providing tailored support to students and families perfectly aligns with U.S. News' mission,' said Eric Gertler, U.S. News executive chairman & CEO. 'This partnership will deepen our global engagement, particularly with educators, students and families interested in international education.' The Red Pen will continue to operate under Kim Dixit and Namita Mehta, who hold majority ownership. The terms of this investment were not disclosed. 'This partnership is a significant milestone for The Red Pen and the students we serve,' said Dr. Kim Dixit, co-founder and CEO of The Red Pen. 'U.S. News' investment validates our commitment to providing high-quality, personalized counseling and enhances our ability to support students with deeper insights.' 'Each year, nearly 40 million students and families visit to access data on tuition, financial aid, academic programs and admissions trends,' said U.S. News CFO & COO Neil Maheshwari. 'This strategic investment will further consolidate our position as a global authority in education far beyond the American borders.' Namita Mehta, president of The Red Pen, adds, 'This partnership will elevate The Red Pen's profile in the global market, expand its digital footprint and reinforce our credibility as a trusted education consultancy.' About The Red Pen The Red Pen is an independent global education consultancy that guides students through applications to boarding schools, colleges, master's and MBA programs worldwide. It has successfully guided students to prestigious institutions across the US, UK, Canada, Europe, Asia, India, and more, with many securing spots at Ivy League colleges, Oxbridge, M7 business schools, and other selective universities. The Red Pen also offers mentorship for middle and high school students. Its unique 2:1 counseling approach, with two counselors per student, offers personalized guidance through every admissions process step. The Red Pen also supports educational institutions by managing and enhancing their college and career counseling departments. Schools like Deutsche Schule Bombay, DY Patil International School, and Krea University have partnered with The Red Pen to benefit from their expert services. Follow The Red Pen on LinkedIn , YouTube , WhatsApp and Instagram. About U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in journalism, empowering consumers, citizens, business leaders, and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services. Follow U.S. News & World Report on Facebook , LinkedIn , Instagram , TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE U.S. News & World Report
