Viewpoint: Is Houston Teen Michael Brown Selfish for Applying to 20 Schools?

Holly Morris, Fox News Anchor from DC, is under fire for calling Michael Brown “selfish” for applying to 20 colleges. Last week the world seemed to be cheering Brown on for his accomplishments. It’s hard enough to get into one top-tier university, let alone 20, and then get a full ride to all of those. But when the news came across Morris’ desk, she gave a backhanded compliment–first admitting how impressive it was and how hardworking Brown was, but then adding on how it was selfish of him to apply to 20 schools. The news anchor added that it was “excessive” and that most students typically apply to four to eight schools, and even that can be excessive. But maybe these new anchors were out of touch with today’s students.

When I was applying to colleges I applied to thirteen schools, and many of my friends also applied to more than ten schools. This was something normal for us. Ultimately, we can only go to one school, but we were taught that it’s important to have options. The best schools we applied to might not give any financial aid, whereas our third or fourth choice might give us a fantastic financial aid package. But it’s about the right to choose; no one wants to be stuck at a school they can’t afford just because of the name.

Fox 5 News DC makes it seem as though today’s youth can do no right: they need to be successful and get into top tier colleges, but get into too many and suddenly they’re “selfish” and taking away from another student. Students don’t expect to get into twenty top tier universities. They are highly selective and highly competitive.

It takes a highly qualified candidate to get into twenty schools with a full ride: Michael Brown is that talented.

While Brown did fill an admissions slot that other impressive candidates wanted, he was the most qualified. Universities also have wait lists for a reason. When a student makes a decision to attend one school and not the others they apply to, their spot is given to whoever is at the top of the wait list.

In addition to this, many on Twitter have taken this to be a race issue. Morris replied with this tweet:

I also said he is an amazing young man. This is not a racial issue. I would have the exact same opinion if the boy was white. https://t.co/gq8Edty0s8

— Holly Morris (@HollyLiveFox5DC) April 4, 2018

Regardless of race, Morris’ comment was backhanded and uncalled for. Morris should have simply congratulated him and hoped he make the best decision.