Roll the Dice

"There is a simple way to dramatically reduce the pressure and competition that our most talented students now experience. When selective institutions get the students' applications, the schools can scrutinize them using the same high standards they currently use and decide which of the applicants is good enough to be admitted. Then the names of all the 'good enough' students could be placed in a metaphorical hat, with the 'winners' drawn at random for admission. Though a high school student will still have to work hard to be 'good enough' for Yale, she won't have to distort her life in the way she would if she had to be the 'best.' The only reason left for participating in all those enrichment programs would be interest, not competitive advantage."

In the Los Angeles Times, Barry Schwartz proposes a sane alternative method for college admissions.