A Confusing New World for College Applicants | The Daily

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” the Supreme Court’s recent decision to ban the use of affirmative action in college admissions has sparked confusion and uncertainty among college applicants. The repeal of affirmative action has forced college admissions officers and high school seniors to navigate new rules and challenges. This episode explores the impact of the ruling on college applicants, particularly black students, and delves into the dilemmas faced by two aspiring students, Francesco and Jordan, as they contemplate their college essays and racial identity. It also examines the response of colleges and universities to the ban and the potential decline in racial diversity on campuses.

Main Takeaways

The Impact of Affirmative Action Ban on College Applicants

• The Supreme Court overturned nearly 50 years of precedent and banned the use of affirmative action in college admissions.
• This ruling eliminated the most powerful tool for ensuring diversity on college campuses and forced college admissions officers and high school seniors to navigate the new rules.
• The college application process has become more uncertain for many black students across the country after the repeal of affirmative action.
• Students from low-income communities gathered for a workshop on how to make their college essays stand out, facing new challenges due to the affirmative action ban.

The Complexities of College Essays and Racial Identity

• The college essay is a high-stakes genre of writing that captures everything a 17-year-old is and was, and everything he or she could offer to the college of their dreams.
• Historically, race could offer an edge to students, but with the ban on affirmative action, colleges can no longer consider race in admissions.
• This year’s class of high school seniors faces a new dilemma as colleges have decided to hide the race box in applications, prompting questions about how students should approach their essays.
• Two students, Jordan and Francesco, are aspiring to be a corporate lawyer and an electrical engineer, respectively.
• Francesco has an impressive academic and extracurricular record but worries about his test scores affecting his chances at MIT.
• He is contemplating whether to include his racial identity in his college essay.
• Jordan related his essay to the movie “Training Day” and how it taught him to question conventional wisdom.
• Despite his challenging upbringing, Jordan chose not to include his personal struggles in his essay, opting to “appear to himself.”

Confusion and Uncertainty Among College Applicants

• Many students at the workshop were confused and uncertain about the implications of a recent ruling.
• Some students expressed concern that the ruling might affect their ability to highlight their cultural identity and background in their college applications.
• Misinformation and confusion about the ruling led to students questioning whether they should disclose their race in their college applications.
• The confusion and concerns about the ruling spilled over into classroom discussions about college applications and financial aid.

Colleges’ Response and Potential Decline in Racial Diversity

• The uncertainty among colleges and universities regarding how the ruling will affect their admissions process.
• The small percentage of colleges affected by the decision, particularly the most selective ones known for helping students from poor backgrounds become high earners after graduation.
• The cautious approach of colleges in response to the ban, with some admissions offices hesitant to discuss the matter and others treading carefully to avoid legal battles.
• Insight from Matt McGann, the dean of admissions and financial aid at Amherst College, on the importance of diversity in the student body and the college’s approach to achieving it.
• Admissions offices consider various factors like sports, music, and background when reviewing applications.
• Admissions officers are now required to connect a student’s race to a lived experience like overcoming discrimination and how it uniquely connects to the college’s mission.
• Colleges have introduced new supplemental essay prompts that draw words directly from the new guidelines, focusing on lived experiences and unique contributions to the campus.
• Schools are committed to diversity but are facing legal risks if they produce the same level of racial diversity as before the ruling, leading to a potential decline in racial diversity.

Summary

The Impact of Affirmative Action Ban on College Applicants

The recent Supreme Court ruling banning the use of affirmative action in college admissions has created uncertainty and challenges for college applicants. The ruling overturned decades of precedent and eliminated a powerful tool for ensuring diversity on college campuses. Black students, in particular, face a more uncertain college application process after the repeal of affirmative action. Students from low-income communities gathered for a workshop to learn how to make their college essays stand out, but now they must navigate new challenges due to the ban.

The Complexities of College Essays and Racial Identity

College essays play a crucial role in the admissions process, capturing a student’s essence and potential contributions to their dream college. However, with the ban on affirmative action, colleges can no longer consider race in admissions. This poses a dilemma for this year’s high school seniors as colleges have decided to hide the race box in applications. Two students, Francesco and Jordan, grapple with their college essays and racial identity. Francesco, an aspiring electrical engineer, contemplates whether to include his racial identity in his essay, while Jordan, aiming to be a corporate lawyer, chooses not to focus on his personal struggles.

Confusion and Uncertainty Among College Applicants

The recent ruling has left many college applicants confused and uncertain about its implications. Students at the workshop expressed concerns about highlighting their cultural identity and background in their applications. Misinformation and confusion surrounding the ruling have led students to question whether they should disclose their race. The confusion and concerns have even spilled over into classroom discussions about college applications and financial aid.

Colleges’ Response and Potential Decline in Racial Diversity

Colleges and universities are grappling with uncertainty regarding how the ruling will impact their admissions process. While only a small percentage of colleges are directly affected, particularly those known for helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed, colleges are cautious in their response. Some admissions offices are hesitant to discuss the matter, while others are treading carefully to avoid legal battles. Admissions officers now need to connect a student’s race to a lived experience, such as overcoming discrimination, and its unique connection to the college’s mission. Colleges have introduced new supplemental essay prompts aligned with the new guidelines to focus on lived experiences and unique contributions. However, there is a risk of a decline in racial diversity on campuses as colleges face legal challenges if they maintain the same level of diversity as before the ruling.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action in college admissions has created a confusing and uncertain new world for college applicants. The repeal of affirmative action has eliminated a powerful tool for ensuring diversity on college campuses, leaving both college admissions officers and high school seniors to navigate new rules and challenges. The complexities of college essays and racial identity have added further dilemmas for students, as they grapple with whether to include their racial identity in their essays. Colleges are also facing uncertainty and potential legal risks as they strive to maintain diversity while complying with the new regulations. The impact of this ruling extends beyond college applications, with discussions about race, identity, and the evolving landscape of admissions reflecting the challenges and uncertainties of entering the adult world.