How should Higher Education admission procedures be designed to improve fairness and diversity?

Fairness and diversity are two essential pillars of higher education admissions. But how can we ensure these principles are reflected in practice?

Fairness means selection decisions are based solely on potential, free from biases related to gender, ethnicity, economic background, family status, or any other variables unrelated to academic ability.

Diversity, on the other hand, ensures that the student community represents a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.

So, how can we achieve both fairness and diversity? Here are five key recommendations:

1️⃣ Use valid and objective selection criteria
The more valid and objective your selection criteria are, the less “error variance” you’ll encounter—reducing the influence of biases in decision-making.

2️⃣ Align selection criteria with study requirements
Criteria should reflect the specific demands of the study program. This not only increases validity but also ensures a better fit between student abilities and program expectations.

3️⃣ Apply multiple selection criteria
Combining different criteria improves reliability and allows applicants to compensate for weaknesses in one area. For instance, an underestimated HSGPA (high school GPA) can be offset by exceptional performance in other domains.

4️⃣ Offer multiple admission pathways
Providing diverse entry routes—such as quotas with varying weights for criteria—acknowledges that individuals with different strengths and profiles can excel in higher education.

5️⃣ Ensure transparency of selection criteria
Clear communication of the criteria helps applicants understand their potential and identify the best pathways to achieve their educational goals.