Commentary: To improve outcomes for students of color, the ‘college marketplace’ myth needs to end

Virtually every policy that governs our higher education system is based on a dangerous myth — that students do, and should, meticulously shop around for colleges nationwide and pick the best fit.

That’s the classic image: The prospective college student visits a slew of colleges and completes an array of applications. Then, they debate their options. Finally, parents pack up the car and drive across the country to drop their child off at college.

The entire college selection apparatus — including college rankings, recruitment, marketing and entrance exams — fuels