The Supreme Court's Decisions Against Harvard & UNC-Chapel-Hill
Let’s talk about the Supreme Court’s decisions against Harvard and UNC-CH!
The shortest version is this; universities will not be allowed to take race into consideration as a specific factor in admissions. That doesn’t mean you can’t refer to your race or ethnicity in your essays; in fact, the Supreme Court specifically said that applicants might well talk about how race has affected their lives and that that might contribute to an acceptance. What colleges cannot do is specifically ask about race; you as an applicant can mention it all you want. There has been speculation that colleges would add more “diversity essays” (e.g., “talk about ways you would contribute to the diversity of Stan-vard U”). In his opinion, however, Justice Roberts was specific about writing that schools cannot require essays that act as a proxy for the race question.
Nobody in my profession can agree on what the impact of all this will be this year.
Students have asked me, “will this ruling help me, will it hurt me, should I try to hide my ethnicity, should I rewrite my Common App essay to be about race?” I can say with rock-solid certainty that nobody knows. I am keeping up with the IECA (my professional organization) and all of the admissions blogs, but until we really know more (which, honestly, will probably be in April), I’m going to recommend what I always do: write the best application possible without trying to be a mind reader. If you start trying to predict what admissions readers want, your essay will seem less authentic at best, and manipulative at worst.
As always, be authentically YOU.
If you need to write about race because that’s the best way to present who you are, then that’s what you should do. If race or ethnicity isn’t something that looms large in your life, don’t change your essay to force things. My best guess is that colleges will be skittish this year about lawsuits, so I wouldn’t change anything you’re already planning to do. And if you’re a legacy applicant (meaning your parents or other relatives attended the school), take advantage of it. A new lawsuit has just been filed challenging legacy admissions, so this may very well be the last year it will help you.
Who can help you navigate the correct tone of your experiences in light of these sweeping decisions? Fortunately for you, I know a guy. Call today (+1 888 997 4945), or browse my website and fill out an interest form. Let’s have a chat about what I can do to help you craft your best possible college application!
