Software Developed to Assist Colleges with Admission Process

According to an April 17, 2008 article from Inside Higher Ed, Auburn University (Auburn, Alabama) will begin using a software application - developed by one of its associate professors of computer science - to make admission decisions next year. Tested against results of the university's admissions committee last year, administrators found that selections made by the software application were very similar to those made in the traditional manner, but somewhat more diverse. Proponents of using software to determine which students will be admitted contend that, because all applicants are treated in the same manner and there is no chance for subjective human bias, results are more equitable and less likely to violate Supreme Court rulings regarding the extent to which race and ethnicity may be considered in admission decisions.

The article is available at the Inside Higher Ed Web site.