WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Friday he opposes the use of a family history at colleges or universities as a factor in determining admission.
Bush stated his position to what's known as "legacy" in response to a question during a Washington forum for minority journalists called Unity 2004.
He was asked, "Colleges should get rid of legacy?"
Bush responded, "Well I think so, yes. I think it ought to be based upon merit."
Under legacy programs, applicants are given an advantage if their parents or grandparents attended the school. Bush, a third-generation graduate of Yale University, joked about his own legacy.
"Well, in my case, I had to knock on a lot of doors to follow the old man's footsteps," he said to laughter.
Bush's remark came as he was being grilled about his opposition to affirmative action programs that consider race as a factor for admission, particularly through quota systems.
Bush said admission should be based "on merit."
Bush has not previously expressed opposition to the use of family lineage at a university to help admission.
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I'm sure being a third generation to join the University had "nothing" to do with his getting in to Yale.
Maybe he got in solely based on his drinking skills...
What a joke, it's ok for his family, but don't you do it...peasant..
Bush stated his position to what's known as "legacy" in response to a question during a Washington forum for minority journalists called Unity 2004.
He was asked, "Colleges should get rid of legacy?"
Bush responded, "Well I think so, yes. I think it ought to be based upon merit."
Under legacy programs, applicants are given an advantage if their parents or grandparents attended the school. Bush, a third-generation graduate of Yale University, joked about his own legacy.
"Well, in my case, I had to knock on a lot of doors to follow the old man's footsteps," he said to laughter.
Bush's remark came as he was being grilled about his opposition to affirmative action programs that consider race as a factor for admission, particularly through quota systems.
Bush said admission should be based "on merit."
Bush has not previously expressed opposition to the use of family lineage at a university to help admission.
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I'm sure being a third generation to join the University had "nothing" to do with his getting in to Yale.
Maybe he got in solely based on his drinking skills...
What a joke, it's ok for his family, but don't you do it...peasant..