Moneyball by Michael Lewis, Essay Example

Moneyball by Michael Lewis is a story of how one baseball team set itself up to win despite the overwhelming odds against them. The Oakland A’s had one of the smallest budgets of any of the major league baseball teams. Oakland General Manager Billy Beane and his right-hand man, Harvard Graduate Paul DePodesta never played baseball a day in his life, decided to find a new method to scout talent. They created a sabermetrics that created a method to crush an abundant amount of data in efforts to make a smarter and stronger team without having to recruit the rock stars who come with the hefty price tags. The book creates a phenomenon on how it can take what is considered to be America’s favorite pastime and changes the strategy and logic that separates the selection from the instinct. College and Universities weigh too heavily on data that does not show the true capabilities of the students. Admissions should create a matrix that can measure the future potential of the students over weighing their past accomplishments.

The University of California has a very strict minimum admission requirements. One’s dream to be able to attend UC can quickly be diminished by the strict application process. Even if one meets the strict minimum academic standards for admission, it does not mean that they will be accepted. The admission into this university is highly competitive and often requires the students to meet far more demanding standards. It is difficult for students of this age to foresee their desire to attend this university early on, and it can pose issues for their complying with the admission requirements. By no means does this mean the student is not qualified, it just means the university fails to see the potential is students who develop their educational values later in life.

It is extremely discouraging to understand the matrix in which the university judges their applicants, and their inability to provide situational provisions. As a young applicant coming from a family in need, there was no option but to work during the high school years. Anyone who has had to juggle work and school can attest to the difficulties that inevitably arise. There is far less time to participate in extra-curricular activities and to focus on studying to achieve the highest grades. However, there is a lot to be said about a student who takes on the responsibility of helping their family at such a young age. The University of California would have been lucky to have a student who is willing to work so hard, and personal circumstances should have been taken into consideration in the application process.

The University of California does not mandate the SATs; however, they are recommended due to the competitive nature of the university. The admission requirements states:

The SAT Subject Tests are not required for admission. Students may submit scores if they wish to showcase academic mastery, just as scores on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests show ability and subject mastery. Competitive majors on some campuses may recommend particular SAT Subject Tests to demonstrate subject proficiency (University of California, np)

The dependencies on standardized test scores pose a significant disadvantage to some, primarily minorities. The tests are intended to measure competencies based on a standardized expectation; however, not all have the ability to excel in the areas highlighted in the SAT and ACT.

The dependency on standardized tests for admission is similar to many of the MLB teams discussed in Moneyball. “Managers tend to pick a strategy that is the least likely to fail, rather than to pick a strategy that is most efficient,” Said Palmer. “The pain of looking bad is worse than the gain of making the best move” (Lewis). Perhaps using standardized testing is a practice that is setting the University of California at a substantial disadvantage. “Nonverbal (or figural) reasoning abilities are less important and show lower correlations with school achievement. Nonverbal reasoning tests do not identify the same students as tests of verbal or quantitative reasoning abilities” (Lohman, 2005). The very basis for which the tests use to determine personal ranking does not provide adequate data for basing a decision upon. However, it is safe to offer a concession to the fact that some testing is needed if nothing more than to determine competency for college.

Another determinant is one’s high school GPA. The University of California has determined the minimum GPA as the following:

In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.4 for nonresidents) in all “a-g” courses completed in grades 10 and 11, with no grade lower than a C. We award extra grade points for grades received in approved honors-level courses to a maximum of eight semesters, including no more than four semesters taken in the 10th grade (University of California, np).

With the personal schedule that was required, during the 11th and 12th grade year keeping a GPA above a 3.0 proved to be very difficult. In addition to working 25 hours and attending school full time, there were also many family obligations that took away from valuable studying time. The hours of responsibilities put in each week was far greater than what it would have taken to uphold a high GPA.

Personally, it is believed that these factors should be taken into consideration in the application process. An individual who takes family obligations as a priority, especially as a teenager, is a young adult that will take their education seriously. They will provide a vast amount of information to their classmates and create a diverse environment that is vital to a university’s success. It is much like the situation that Billy Beane faced when he was building his team. He chose to ignore the ‘success’ ratings that the majority of the MLB teams were using and found success by looking at other factors of the players. UC could benefit by rating ‘success’ on different factors than the majority of the high-ranking universities.

Student’s high school GPA’s only tell so much. Although the profile of students’ reasoning abilities and other aptitudes can usefully inform how to teach students (Lohman & Hagen, 2001), what to teach is best guided by what students know and can do. What a student possess is far more than their high school grades. How they handle, their own personal battles shows far more important than their grade point average. “The pleasure of rooting for Goliath is that you can expect to win. The pleasure of rooting for David is that, while you don’t know what to expect, you stand at least a chance of being inspired” (Lewis). Everyone loves the story of an underdog, however if an underdog is not given a chance to try, they will never succeed. Again, it is an important concession that grades are a factor in determining acceptance to a university; however, it should not be definitive.

Lastly, the University of California has mandated that a high school diploma or equivalent is necessary for admission. They state that:

If students do not have a high school diploma, we will accept the Certificate of Proficiency awarded by the State Board of Education upon successful completion of the California High School Proficiency Examination. We’ll also accept proficiency examinations from other states, and the General Education Development (GED) Certificate, in place of a diploma (University of California, np).

The expectations of the university to mandate the high school or equivalent completion seems to be a valid requirement. It is the only requirement that seems reasonable in the admission process. If a student has not completed the high school level of education, or equivalent, the likelihood they will succeed in higher education is minimal.

For many, their dreams begin with their college endeavor. It is the first step in their independence and their preparation for the future they are dreaming of. Personally, it seems almost discriminative to base the expectations for success on a standardized system. Lewis showed many instances where perception proved to be inaccurate. “Every form of strength is also a form of weakness,” he once wrote. “Pretty girls tend to become insufferable because, being pretty, their faults are too much tolerated. Possessions entrap men, and wealth paralyzes them. I learned to write because I am one of those people who somehow cannot manage the common communications of smiles and gestures, but must use words to get things that other people would never need to say” (Lewis). The ideals that we all embrace at times proves to be misleading.

The University of California may be misleading their perception of the applicants by setting a minimal expectation for admission. Personally, having been challenged by the system in which they rate their applicants, one would advise the university that they are missing good, quality students. Perhaps having a recommend expectation for their applicants would allow them to consider the personal factors in which each student is applying. An applicant who worked to support their family while in high school shows a lot about the character of the student. Despite their obstacles in high school, no one could deny that they are hard working. It is just one example of many that should be considered when determining a college applicant.

Admissions should create a matrix that can measure the future potential of the students over weighing their past accomplishments. The book Moneyball provided a basis for which true success can be determined outside the realms of standardized factors. The University of California is a dream for many; myself included. One can do everything right and still not comply with the minimum standards to attend the University. It is understood that the University needs to screen applicants to keep the status of the university in high ranking. However, each individual students has their own story, their own responsibilities, and they all want a shot at a successful future. Despite not attending the University of my choice, it did not prevent my personal educational endeavors. With hard work and determination, in May, a Bachelors degree will now be on a list of personal accomplishments. Deny an application based on the admission requirements inevitably denies the University of quality students that they are overlooking with their predetermined standards. The University of California needs to take inspiration from the novel Moneyball and see that there if far more to an individual than simple statistics.

Work Cited

Lewis, Michael. Moneyball. W. W. Norton & Company. 2004. Print.

Lohman, D. F. The role of nonverbal ability tests in identifying students for participation in programs for the academically gifted. Gifted Child Quarterly, 49, 111–138. 2005. Print.

Lohman, D. F., & Hagen, E. P. Cognitive Abilities Test (Form 6): Interpretive guide for teachers and counselors. Itasca, IL: Riverside. 2001. Print.

University of California. Minimum Admission Requirements. 2015. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.