Might it be possible to achieve some or all of the goals of affirmative action through an approach based on an entirely different definition of the problem? This article says "yes." Its logic rests not upon an approach that creates informal quotas for identified groups, but instead on one aimed at discovering merit in people who are members of these groups and recognizing it in college admissions systems. It contends many (and perhaps all) of the goals of affirmative action can be achieved through a merit-based system used instead of as a supplement to affirmative action. This article is divided into the following sections evaluating this issue: Traditional Closed Systems in Education; Hidden Talents; The Rainbow Project; Teaching and Assessing for Different Kinds of Abilities; and Rainbow Measures: Some Examples.