A professor acquaintance of mine sees a trend toward college applications suggesting “optional photographs.” Is this a way to make sure that “diversity” students look, uh, diverse enough? I couldn’t think of an innocent explanation (Emory gamely suggests that it “makes the process more human”). He included a quick google:

–Columbia

–Hampden-Sydney.

–U. of Florida Medical School (minority program).

–Emory (“makes the process more human”).