Don’t Box Us In: This checkbox denies college admission to thousands of potential students

When you applied to college, did you remember answering the question: “If you have previous criminal history, please specify and explain the incident?” I'm sure you saw it once because I’ve seen it over and over again. I applied to 10 schools out of state and saw that same question. It made my heart sink like glass falling down. As time passed, my decisions finally came in, and rejections and acceptance weren't as bad as I thought. But what if I had had a minor history of shoplifting? If I had a criminal past, those rejections still would have stung more. The laws of “Ban the Box” prohibit admission committees from asking about an applicant's criminal history.  This law has been passed in some states, but not all. The laws banning the box should apply to every state in America for equal access to education. 

 One-third of college applicants who have criminal backgrounds are denied, which suggests that most institutions view them negatively. Students with less severe convictions being denied leads me to believe that, if grades and personal essays are in good standing, then the criminal background of these applicants affects their admission decision, holding them back from entry into these institutions. The article,“The Box: How Conviction History Shapes the College Process” explains how Syrita Steib “had a 3.875 GPA, I had 30 college credits and literally had two B’s.” Yet just one day after submitting her application, she was denied by the institution she applied to. Although she didn’t mention her charge, she stated it was mild compared to the many other worse crimes people have committed. Applicants who have encountered this with a less severe crime are still likely to be rejected from the institutions they apply to. Criminal information seems to still be a big factor in denying applicants despite achievement. 

Privilege protects some students from the prison system. Because of their privilege, this makes them feel protected and entitled to college admissions in a place of education, and to treat and do anything they want because of their status. According to an Academe article, a professor shared a recent disturbing semester of her teaching as students displayed bad behaviour. Barb Holdcroft defines multiple ways students have used entitlement to hold leverage and make professors feel belittled. Recent studies have shown that 66.2 percent of students believe that if they “try hard enough,” it should result in a good grade. Almost a quarter believe that a professor should respond to the same email sent in a day, and believe they should be allowed to take calls during class. While those with criminal backgrounds who were in the prison system are not protected and can be rejected from college. 

In fact, as “The Box” article makes clear, research has shown there is no significant difference between the behavior of college students enjoying campus life and the behavior of applicants with criminal histories. The claim of public safety, off and on campus, is false. With the evidence presented and fair data given, it is safe to say that college students are no different from people with criminal backgrounds. The difference is that some college students can have a status facade, which means money covers up their flaws; they are seen as superior and have the power of wealth over authority, while criminals who aren’t enrolled usually come from low-income and poor backgrounds.

The “Ban the Box Movement” is acting to prohibit colleges from including questions about a student’s legal history. This movement has been successfully passed in California and 36 other states, adopting these policies has left a positive impact on everyone involved. In California, banning the box has resulted in several positive outcomes, according to an article written by employment attorneys, “California’s New Ban the Box Law.” They state that Ban the Box has reduced discrimination among Hispanic and African American applicants, increased opportunities, broadened the talent pool, and increased tax revenue with lower criminal justice costs. 

With the Ban the Box movement passed, there have been major changes in not just college applications, but job applications as well. These laws should apply to all colleges in America for the better of our students and equal rights to all who consider education and equal access important American rights.