Using an Index of Admission Obstacles with Constrained Optimization to Increase the Diversity of College Classes

ABSTRACT Today, postsecondary institutions in the US typically wish to enroll entering classes that are both academically qualified and diverse. Although the definition of diversity varies from school to school, the challenge is essentially the same: How can academic objectives be combined with goals that involve the composition of the entering class? Many schools have a commitment to facilitating access for under-represented minorities or low-income applicants, or for members of nearby communities. Incorporating these goals while maintaining academic standards can be challenging.