American Colleges Are To Hide Race on Admission Applications

The landscape of college admissions is about to undergo a significant change as the U.S. Supreme Court gears up to rule on race-conscious admissions. Preempting a potential ban on affirmative action, the Common App, a universal application used by over a thousand universities, has decided to allow colleges to mask information pertaining to race and ethnicity on admission applications, according to its chief executive, Jenny Rickard.

Key Takeaways

• Colleges will have a method to comply with the potential Supreme Court ruling against race-conscious admissions.
• The Supreme Court’s verdict on affirmative action is anticipated in late June, with the justices showing significant interest in the application of race boxes during the oral arguments.
• The change could offer universities a plausible deniability, potentially shielding them from lawsuits.

Implications of Masking Racial Information on Admissions

Starting from August, universities will be allowed to conceal a student’s race during the application review process. This change, instigated by the Common App, is a response to the imminent Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions. If the court rules against such admissions, this move will ensure that colleges comply with the new legal standard.

“It’s a pre-emptive move on what is known as the ‘race box’,” stated Jenny Rickard, chief executive of the Common App. This move by the Common App, while aimed at protecting educational institutions from potential litigation, could also change how students express their racial and ethnic identities. Applicants might need to resort to revealing their backgrounds via essays or teacher recommendations, a shift that could significantly alter the tone and content of these application components.

Possible Consequences for Universities and Students

Should the Supreme Court decide to end or limit race-conscious admissions, universities will have to navigate a new landscape. “Masking the race boxes on the Common App could give universities a measure of plausible deniability, legal experts said, and perhaps some protection from lawsuits,” according to The New York Times. However, this could potentially instigate more legal disputes around broader diversity issues, such as scholarships dedicated to Black students.

The impact on applicants could be significant as well. Expressing one’s racial and ethnic identity in essays or teacher recommendations could be the only option left for students who wish to convey this important aspect of their identity and experience.

Demystifying Race-Conscious Admissions

Race-conscious admissions, also known as affirmative action, refer to policies in universities that consider an applicant’s race or ethnicity as part of their admissions decisions. These policies emerged in response to historical patterns of racial discrimination and disparities in educational opportunities among various racial and ethnic groups. They aim to increase diversity, promote racial equality, and redress past injustices in educational institutions.

Here’s a breakdown of how these policies work:

1. Promoting Diversity: Affirmative action and race-conscious admissions strive to create a diverse and inclusive learning environment. A diverse student body exposes students to varied perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures, fostering a more enriching academic experience.
2. Providing Equal Opportunities: These policies aim to level the playing field for disadvantaged racial and ethnic groups. By considering race as a factor in admissions, universities can help ensure that all students have fair access to the educational opportunities they offer.
3. Addressing Historical Inequalities: The goal is to combat systemic racism and rectify historical injustices. By recognizing that some racial and ethnic groups have been historically disadvantaged in education, affirmative action aims to provide opportunities for these students.

The Supreme Court’s pending decision on affirmative action could limit or outright ban the use of such policies. If the court rules against race-conscious admissions, it will bring significant changes to the application process. For instance, students might have to resort to other means to express their racial identities, such as personal essays and teacher recommendations. Meanwhile, universities may face challenges in maintaining diversity and upholding racial equality. As we await the court’s decision, the landscape of college admissions remains uncertain.

The Verdict

With the Supreme Court expected to make a pivotal ruling on race-conscious admissions, the Common App’s decision to enable colleges to hide racial information could dramatically change the dynamics of the application process. While this move could protect universities from potential litigation, it is also likely to pressure applicants to express their racial identities in different ways. As we await the court’s decision, educational institutions and applicants alike must prepare to navigate a significantly altered landscape of college admissions.

Read more:

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