The Concept of “Mismatch” at Play in the Supreme Court Fisher Decision is Empirically Unsound

The authors provide analysis of nationally representative data that refutes the mismatch theory. The data shows just the opposite: three times more students are qualified to attend selective colleges and universities than actually go to them. In fact, when average students are placed in the nation’s best colleges and universities, they will graduate at a much higher rate. Rather than being intimidated by not being able to meet the standards of their peers, as Justices Scalia and Thomas have suggested, these students are instead challenged by the circumstances, and succeed at a rate comparable to their peers.