In a post-race admissions world, getting into college will depend on individuality | Opinion
On Thursday, the Supreme Court overturned affirmative action — using race as a determinant in admissions in college applications. Fair or unfair, students of color need a different strategy in applying to college.
In the 6-3 ruling, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that university policies cited in the case — Harvard and the University of North Carolina — violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
The majority cited reverse racism. Justice Sonia Sotomayor in her dissent said our “society … is not, and has never been, colorblind” and that the decision would irreparably harm the diversity of the student body.
Those who agree with the decision probably imagine a room full of university staff carelessly picking students based on race and ethnicity, giving no credence to ability.
Those who disagree with the opinion might believe all is lost to create a diverse and equitable student body.
Both would be wrong.
I say this from my previous experience as a dean of undergraduate students at a major university, where I was actively involved in recruiting students. In my seven years as a college administrator, I’ve never seen race solely used to justify an admission.
So race no longer can be used. But you know what can be used — and what many colleges are already doing? Taking a student’s background, experience, gender, geography, family college status and income into consideration. Listening to the student’s story in the application. This, together with race, creates a great indicator of building a good, diverse mix in a student body. But without race as part of that mix, students, their parents and guardians must express their individuality to show why they should be admitted. Race is a part of it, but not the only part.
In Kansas and Missouri, university statements posted shortly after the high court handed down the opinion said they did not use race-based admission at the undergraduate level. In its release, the University of Missouri focused on individuality:
“We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person’s success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.”
With race gone, these other factors will be crucial. So what rises to the top in a post-race higher education admissions world?
The college essay.
Parents, hear me on this: Whether your child is filling out the common application or a school’s individual one, there is an opportunity to share what makes the student unique, individual. We also see this opportunity in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
My previous university — the University of Oklahoma — makes this pretty clear in its statement: “OU does not include race as a factor for admission into the university. The university considers four parts to a student’s application: academic rigor and performance, engagement, an essay and letters of recommendation.”
Students, you need to tell your unique story, what makes you, you, in the essay. Help the admissions officer see how you will be a benefit to the college.
Some state universities, such as in Kansas, do not use essays in its application process. The Kansas Board of Regents promises this: “Through qualified admissions, applicants to state universities in Kansas must meet minimum GPA or ACT requirements. If they do, they are guaranteed admission regardless of other factors.”
Despite the lack of an essay, the University of Kansas promised in its statement to “continue to prioritize efforts to ensure KU is an academic community that prepares students for an increasingly diverse world.”
Missouri, like other universities, does use essays in its application process. While schools rely on GPA or test scores, many admission officers will take the essay into consideration, especially when there are students who have similar achievements. Race isn’t the tiebreaker any more, if it ever was, but the essay might be.
And students shouldn’t be afraid to mention their racial background and how it has affected them as a student. The Supreme Court opinion said as much: “Nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise.”
The essay is not a magic wand, but it can help students outshine competitors when the numbers are close.
However, this argument leaning on the essay brings up another consideration: That it might be harmful to students who did not receive writing training. Students who went to underfunded and poorly staffed schools might not have mastered writing, grammar and spelling. If race can no longer be used and a student is unable to write a compelling essay, what then?
I don’t have an answer for you, and I only hope that college admissions officers truly believe in their mission to cultivate, as the University of Kansas said, “a diverse community in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected.”
Otherwise, students of color may be excluded from that diverse community.
