There are currently more than 50,000 students attending MSU and not a single one knows exactly how they got here.
Something every student had to go through to be here was the application process — writing essays, making sure their grades and test scores are optimal and waiting patiently to see the letter that said, “Congratulations, you’re a Spartan!” But from that point on, no one really knows exactly what got them in over another applicant.
This mystery persists nationwide but something is now being done about it.
A group of students Stanford University students have started The Fountain Hopper in September 2014, an organization dedicated to satirical campus news that quickly discovered a much more productive mission and gained national attention.
Through the Family Education Rights and Protection Act of 1974 it is very explicitly stated that students have a right to see their educational records. These Stanford students have discovered filing a request for this information means their university must turn over their full admissions records within 45 days.
In this case, the records returned included assessments admissions officers made of applicants, a range of scores and factors considered on applications as well as recommendation letters from high school teachers and counselors.
The Fountain Hopper’s website details a “tried and tested” five-step plan for obtaining a comprehensive record of admissions reviews. In reality, it is as simple as writing a formal request through the university’s Office of the Registrar.
MSU’s admissions website is completely devoid of any information regarding admissions records. Admitted students will be directed to a “next steps” page that goes over required tests and forms that need to be submitted. Every recently admitted student will see the exact same page, and no mention will be made of the qualitative and quantitative reviews that allowed them acceptance to MSU. The FAQ page is similarly lacking any reference to obtaining admissions record information.
Although the trend is somewhat recent, admissions officers are paying attention to it.
“MSU is currently considering how we will accommodate such requests when they occur,” said Director of Admissions Jim Cotter. “Discussions are currently underway, and (we) should have more information in the next few weeks.”
