Oregon legislators are considering a bill designed to create a task force focused on success for underrepresented college students.

If House Bill 2590 passes, a group of state lawmakers will be tasked with visiting postsecondary institutions across the state in order to meet with current, former and prospective students from underrepresented groups. The conversations are intended to help develop policy focused on student success—including academics, as well as college affordability, food and housing needs, and entry into the workforce after graduation.

Susan Paterno, director of the journalism program at Chapman University, is not a fan of college admissions. She says it favors the wealthy over the poor and good test-taking skills over being a good person, plus the system's many twists are invisible to most people.

Paterno recently wrote a book on the flaws of the college admissions process. In this interview, she shares her issues with the system—and also why college is important.