The US Supreme Court has recently announced its long-anticipated ruling restricting the use of affirmative action in higher education admissions. The court struck down decades of legal precedent that allowed colleges and universities to consider race as a factor in admissions. This decision will effectively end the practice of race-based admissions to US colleges and universities.
Individual perspectives differ as to whether this is a good thing or not. Many argue that this decision will limit diversity and make it more difficult for underrepresented groups, such as African Americans and Latinas, to gain admission to colleges and universities. This universities are to focus on a more merit-based system, where students are admitted based on their qualifications rather than their race. It is important to note that this supreme court decision does not mean that universities cannot consider other factors such as geographic and religious diversity when making admissions decisions.
Universities believe that student body diversity is essential to achieving their educational mission of enriching their students’ educational experience. Hence, for our applicants, our advice is what it has been for years: highlight your unique qualities in your applications, whether these be your talent in debate or in the fact that you play the santur, an ancient middle eastern musical instrument. Whether your family has immigrated from a country, such as Mongolia or Tanzania, which historically send fewer students to US universities or whether you are of Zoroastrian origin, keep in mind that universities will value the diversity you will bring to their campus community. Even if the application platforms delete questions about background and ethnicity, you can focus your time and energy on those things you can control and that is your essays. Be sure to highlight what is unique about you in your applications as best as you can.