Since the recent ruling by the US Supreme Court against affirmative action in higher education, Adam Nguyen has been proactively advising his Asian clients on the admissions process for elite US colleges. He wants to debunk the misconception that it is now easier for Asian students to get in and warns against complacency. He emphasizes that they still need to distinguish themselves on subjective measures.
The Supreme Court’s decision, which deemed the use of race in admissions by Harvard and UNC unconstitutional, has received mixed reactions. Some believe that affirmative action discriminated against Asian students, while others are concerned that the ruling will limit access to top universities for historically under-represented minorities, such as African American and Latino students.
This ruling is just one of three major developments that have questioned the admissions policies of competitive universities. Shortly after the Supreme Court judgment, a complaint was filed against elite colleges for favoring “legacy” students (those with family ties or donations). Additionally, a separate Supreme Court judgment overturned President Joe Biden’s student debt forgiveness program.
While universities have issued cautious statements in response to these developments, they have indicated their commitment to maintaining diversity through other means. For example, Vassar College is determined to continue fostering diverse communities of learning, and Brown University is conducting a thorough legal review of the affirmative action decision while upholding its commitment to diversity. Cornell University will address the ruling during a midsummer check-in, expressing confidence in meeting the challenge.
Yale and Princeton are taking proactive steps to support students from less privileged backgrounds, while also exploring new outreach programs to encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented communities. They are considering proxies for race, such as socio-economic background, and are offering tuition waivers for students from lower-income families.
Despite these efforts, some worry that the Supreme Court’s ruling may discourage lower-income applicants due to the high cost of attending elite colleges. College consultants also predict that the application process will become more complex and opaque, particularly for foreign students.
Nguyen advises his black and latino clients not to rely solely on affirmative action and to find other ways to differentiate themselves. He suggests introducing race later in the application process and focusing on subjective, contextual measures. He also urges Asian students to excel in intellectual pursuits rather than solely focusing on traditional extracurriculars.
Looking ahead, there may be a shift in the admissions landscape. Legacy admissions could come under scrutiny, and recruiters may view excellence in elite, expensive sports less favorably. Families are being advised to encourage their children to stand out through alternative activities from an early age.
While moving away from wealthy families as potential donors may be less elitist, it raises financial implications for the elite universities and their ability to support lower-income applicants. Several conversations have already taken place where significant donations are being withheld, awaiting universities’ reactions to these developments.
It is important to address the funding models of elite universities and acknowledge the need to ensure fairness in admissions. While it may be unfair for legacy applicants to benefit from the resources enjoyed by previous generations, funding is necessary to sustain these institutions.
This article has been amended since initial publication to correct the spelling of Christina Paxson’s name.
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