Local newspapers reported that three sets of twins had graduated from high school with Grade Point Averages (GPA) of 96.97 percent, 97.33 percent and 99.55 percent respectively. Despite these impressive marks, they all failed to get admitted to a university. At the same time, local newspapers also joyfully announced that there were either 145,000 or 245,000 students enrolled at universities in the Kingdom.
In order to be somewhat closer to accuracy, we will rely on the smaller figure of 145,000 students being admitted to university. This in itself is a huge number and the lucky students must have surely obtained 100 percent GPAs, because the ones who managed to score 99.55 percent failed to get accepted by a university.
What I wonder is if it is possible for a student to have a GPA of 101 percent. I guess it is if one takes advantage of a “wasta,” which proves that the admission system of our universities, which is based on students’ total high school grades, is useless and unfair.
Newspapers also reported that university admission has been systematized according to the GPA for all high school years. Even though this is less unjust, it is a better approach than relying only on final year grades.
It has also been said that there would be qualification tests that are a basic requirement in order for one to be admitted to university. Even though this test would encourage the use of “wasta,” yet it has not been applied — or at least not in every university. Whatever the case, the current admission system must and should be reformed and renewed if not replaced entirely. The policy of “wasta” is unbeatable of course, but adjusting the system would at least guarantee students some justice.
