Boston Area News

BOSTON (WBZ) ― Some people refer to it as an "open secret" on college campuses: Female students facing discrimination just by applying to school. A federal civil rights commission is now investigating whether it happens on a regular basis.

SEX DISCRIMINATION?

If you take a virtual tour of Providence College, you'll learn about academics, state of the art facilities and the storied basketball team. What you won't hear is that it's much tougher for a girl to get in than a boy.

The I-Team found that in 2008, 51% of male applicants were accepted into the freshmen class, but just 41% of the girls.

San Diego University law professor Gail Heriot, who sits on the US Commission on Civil Rights, said they've been "hearing anecdotal evidence that colleges and universities are now discriminating against women in their admissions policies."

The commission makes sure civil rights laws are being enforced, as well recommends policy changes Congress and the President. The commission is now issuing subpoenas to private colleges and universities in the Washington, D.C. area to see if there is systemic discrimination against female applicants. Heriot believes, "We will find sex discrimination at some schools."

I-TEAM LOOKS AT NEW ENGLAND SCHOOLS

The I-Team analyzed admissions data for colleges across New England and found that in some schools, it did seem easier for men to get in.

For example, Middlebury College in Vermont admitted 25% of the men, but only 18% of the women.

At Wheaton College in Norton, the breakdown was a "yes" for 48% of the men, and just 41% of the women.

Wesleyan University in Connecticut had a 30% - 25% split in favor of men.

And at Brown University, the I-Team found 17% of the men were granted admission, compared to 12% of the women.

ADMISSIONS CAN BE COMPLICATED

Colleges, however, say the admissions process is a complicated puzzle, made up of more than just grades, SAT's, and gender. Meredith Eastman-Principe, a college advisor at Campus Bound in Lexington, explained "A college admissions officer is looking at involvements, character and fit for their particular school, leadership qualities."

And these days, admissions officers are facing a big challenge with the numbers. She says, quite simply, "There are more women applying to college now, than men."

Providence College is an example of this demographic shift, as 60% of their applicants were women. It's an unwritten rule that co-ed schools don't want to become "too female" and create a less attractive social life on campus.

Eastman-Principe explained, "The fact colleges are looking to keep their ratio as close to 60-40 or 50-50 as possible means that girls will find they are in a more competitive pool competing against each other for the slots that are available for women on college campuses."

IT'S "NOT FAIR"

She admits this can be difficult for an 18 year old woman to face. "Life isn't always fair and that can be a really tough lesson to learn."

It's a lesson that gets a failing grade from female students around Boston. One told us this isn't fair, adding 'There should be no consideration of gender." Another said, "It's not fair, but a lot of things aren't fair. There's still sexism all over the place."

Some people might find it surprising that federal law doesn't prohibit sex discrimination when it comes to admission at private undergraduate schools. That's why a school like Simmons College, for example, can exclusively admit women. The US Commission on Civil Rights, however, tells the I-Team their focus is to make the process more transparent.

Heriot added, "A school that purports to be co-ed really should try to use other methods rather than sex discrimination to try and achieve their goals."

INVESTIGATION ON CAMPUSES

This investigation is a first of its kind on American campuses. Heriot hopes the legacy will be far reaching. "We would like to send a message to girls today that they will be treated equally when they apply to college."

The commission could have a report out as early as six months. Eastman-Principe says in the meantime a young woman can improve her chances of getting accepted to a college by taking advantage of most schools desire to have geographic diversity. The student, however, has to be prepared to travel further from home.

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