色盒直播

Harvard demands personal essays from applicants in equity bid

As part of Biden-endorsed response to Supreme Court ban on race-based preferences, Ivy League elite requires applicants to describe life experiences

August 15, 2023
Handwritten essay on table
Source: iStock

Harvard University is among several selective US institutions revising their admissions processes to emphasise personal essays, in what the Biden administration is touting as a leading strategy to circumvent the Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action.

The nation’s oldest university, which lost the landmark case in June, said it will now make mandatory an applicant essay in which students seeking admission describe their life experiences in the context of ways they would help Harvard achieve a diverse student body.

Harvard outlined the decision on the same day that the US secretary of education, Miguel Cardona, urged other US institutions to take similar steps, in line with the Supreme Court’s opinion that they could ask such questions of their applicants as long as the answers were not directly used to make race-based admissions decisions.

Dr Cardona said the Biden administration was concerned by historical precedents in which individual US states that have banned affirmative action policies – including the largest, California – have subsequently experienced declines in minority students applying and being admitted.

色盒直播

ADVERTISEMENT

“We cannot afford that kind of backsliding on a national scale,” the secretary told reporters as part of an event to that the Department of Education has made available to help institutions cope with the Supreme Court decision.

Harvard is one among several institutions that hope that the personal student essays may help them overcome the loss of the legal ability to more directly favour racial minorities in their admissions processes. Others taking the step include the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Bryn Mawr College, Babson College and Sarah Lawrence College.

色盒直播

ADVERTISEMENT

Harvard had long invited such personal essays, and its main change now is making them mandatory.

Many other institutions – including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which was the second institution along with Harvard whose race-based admissions policy was rejected this summer by the Supreme Court – already request that their applicants that could help admissions officers gain clues to racial identity.

The question of such essays was contemplated during the Supreme Court’s consideration of the cases. In their ruling, the justices explicitly allowed the possibility, saying that “nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected the applicant’s life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university.”

But the plaintiff in the Harvard and UNC cases, a conservative group calling itself Students for Fair Admissions, warned that it would pursue new legal action if it sees any evidence that the essays are being used by any institutions as a backdoor means for maintaining racial preferences in defiance of the court’s opinion.

色盒直播

ADVERTISEMENT

Dr Cardona and the Biden administration hosted a gathering of university leaders last month in Washington to confer on strategies for overcoming the Supreme Court ruling, including institutions improving their targeted recruiting of minority students and providing such students with improved guidance resources once they agree to enrol.

And the administration plans soon to issue a report on the best legal strategies for responding to the court’s ruling, Dr Cardona said. “This moment demands the same courageous commitment to equal opportunity and justice we saw from leaders at the height of the Civil Rights movement,” he said.

paul.basken@timeshighereducation.com

Register to continue

Why register?

  • Registration is free and only takes a moment
  • Once registered, you can read 3 articles a month
  • Sign up for our newsletter
Register
Please Login or Register to read this article.

Related articles

Reader's comments (3)

Requiring personal essays reinforces inequality. Applicants with the means have long hired writing coaches or hired others to write compelling essays How can a "higher education reporter" not know this? It is old news
ChatGPT will be kept busy. "Write me a personal essay for application to an Ivy league college, describing my life experiences as a low income LBGT Native American Indian."
Title: Embracing Diversity and Defying Odds: A Journey of a Low-Income, LGBT Native American Indian Growing up as a low-income, LGBT Native American Indian has shaped my life in profound ways, instilling in me resilience, empathy, and a deep appreciation for diversity. My journey has been a fusion of cultural heritage, personal identity, and socioeconomic challenges that have guided me towards a path of understanding, compassion, and a fervent desire to create positive change. Born into a world where the odds seemed stacked against me, I learned from an early age that adversity could be a catalyst for growth. My family's financial struggles taught me the value of perseverance and resourcefulness. I witnessed my parents working tirelessly to make ends meet, showing me that determination could overcome even the most daunting obstacles. This experience cultivated within me an unyielding work ethic and a determination to succeed academically, a trait that I carry with me to this day. Navigating my journey as an LGBT individual in a society that was still evolving in terms of acceptance was both challenging and transformative. My self-discovery process allowed me to embrace my true self and find solace in my identity. As a Native American Indian, I also connected deeply with my cultural roots, appreciating the traditions and wisdom that had been passed down through generations. This journey of self-acceptance has given me the courage to stand up for marginalized communities, challenging stereotypes and advocating for inclusivity. Despite facing adversity, I never lost sight of the power of education as a means of transcendence. My academic pursuits became my sanctuary, offering me an escape from the hardships I faced. I poured my heart into my studies, excelling academically and garnering recognition for my dedication. With each achievement, I grew more resolute in my belief that education could be a bridge to a brighter future, not only for me but for those who shared similar backgrounds. My experiences have instilled in me a profound sense of empathy and a commitment to addressing the systemic inequalities that affect low-income and marginalized communities. As an activist, I have volunteered with organizations advocating for LGBT rights, equality, and educational opportunities for underprivileged youth. Through these endeavors, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of solidarity and the importance of uplifting the voices that often go unheard. Joining an Ivy League university would provide me with the platform and resources to amplify my impact. The environment of intellectual curiosity, cultural diversity, and innovation would be the ideal setting for me to further develop my leadership skills and effect positive change on a larger scale. I am eager to engage in thought-provoking discussions, collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and contribute to initiatives that promote inclusivity and equality. In conclusion, my journey as a low-income, LGBT Native American Indian has been a tapestry woven with challenges, triumphs, and an unyielding commitment to personal growth and societal change. Through adversity, I have honed my resilience, and through self-discovery, I have embraced my identity. As I stand at the precipice of higher education, I am eager to seize every opportunity to continue my quest for knowledge, advocate for marginalized communities, and contribute to a world where diversity is celebrated and barriers are dismantled. My story is one of empowerment, and I am ready to continue this narrative of change at an Ivy League university.

Sponsored

ADVERTISEMENT