The Gatekeepers

The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College is a 2002 nonfiction book, written by education reporter Jacques Steinberg, that examines the inner workings of the admissions committee at Wesleyan University. The book expands upon a series of articles Steinberg wrote in The New York Times. Steinberg follows six college applicants through the admissions process.[1] The book covers issues such as affirmative action, recruiting, standardized testing and the significance of the SATs.[1]

This article is about the 2002 nonfiction book concerning US higher level education. For the Gatekeepers in children's fantasy novel series, see The Power of Five. For the documentary film, see The Gatekeepers (film).
The Gatekeepers
AuthorJacques Steinberg
Cover artistWilliam Mercer
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Genrenonfiction, journalism
PublisherPenguin Group
Publication date
2002
Media typePrint (hardcover)
Pages292 p.
ISBN0-670-03135-6
OCLC49283806
378.1/61 21
LC ClassLB2351.2 .S72 2002

Reception

The Gatekeepers was not a best-seller and received mixed reviews.

The Harvard Education Review considered that it would offer little help to parents trying to get their children into colleges.[2]

Beth Provinse, in the Journal of College Admissions, criticized Steinberg for focusing on one school, which she said did not reflect "the current realities of college admission." She argued that in contrast to Wesleyan's admissions practices, many colleges emphasize a numbers approach in evaluating a candidate. She cited the University of Michigan's highly publicized point system as an example.[3]

Publishers Weekly reckoned it would not be of interest to students, but parents might buy it.[1]

Shannon Bloomstran of The Book Reporter, said it was a "fascinating peek behind the curtain" and said that before reading she "really had no idea of the extent of agony and debate that takes place in the admissions offices of these highly selective schools."[4]

Edward B. Fiske, editor of the highly popular Fiske Guide to Colleges, praised Steinberg for reporting on a "distinctly American rite of passage".[5]

John Bundris of the Christian Science Monitor described The Gatekeepers as a "fitting denouement after the college applications are in the mail - for parent and student alike".[6]

See also

References
  1. "THE GATEKEEPERS: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  2. "The Gatekeepers By Jacques Steinberg (Review)". Harvard Education Review. Summer 2004. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  3. Beth Provinse. Journal of College Admissions, Summer 2003. Issue 180. pg. 30
  4. Bloomstran, Shannon. "Review". Bookreporter.com.
  5. Edward B. Fiske
  6. Bundris, John. "In 'Gatekeepers,' a real-life peek behind closed doors of college admissions offices".
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