Affirmative action in college admissions

Summary

The video follows David Jen, a high school senior aiming for Harvard, navigating a post-affirmative action world. After being deferred and later rejected by Harvard, David reflects on his experiences with implicit bias and the challenges Asian-American applicants face. The video also features Joeli Castillo, an Afro-Latina student, who overcame significant hardships and later succeeded in her transfer applications to elite universities. The piece highlights concerns over diversity and the future of college admissions post-affirmative action, including the role of legacy admissions and the impact on minority students.

Takeaways

• 😀 David Jen, an 18-year-old student, is preparing to graduate high school and dreams of attending Harvard University.
• 😀 The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down affirmative action in college admissions has created uncertainty for many students.
• 😀 Harvard University's application process has changed, with the removal of race as a factor in admissions, making it harder for students to navigate.
• 😀 David decided to embrace his Chinese heritage in his application essay, despite concerns about potential bias against Asian-American applicants.
• 😀 David's academic excellence and extracurricular achievements, including high GPA, SAT score, and leadership roles, didn't guarantee admission to Harvard.
• 😀 The Supreme Court ruling has been criticized for disproportionately affecting Asian-American applicants, who were held to higher standards in admissions.
• 😀 Despite facing rejection from Harvard, David has made peace with the process and is now attending Duke University.
• 😀 Rising concerns exist regarding the reduction of diversity on campuses due to the elimination of affirmative action, especially for Black and Hispanic students.
• 😀 Joeli Castillo, an Afro-Latina student, worries that the lack of guidance on how to navigate the post-affirmative action era will impact students of color.
• 😀 Legacy admissions, where children of alumni are given preference, remain a point of contention in elite universities, with some calling for its end.
• 😀 Despite challenges, Joeli Castillo was accepted to multiple prestigious universities, including Princeton and Brown, due to her strong academic performance and cultural background.

Q & A

Why was David Jen excited about his Harvard application despite the uncertainty around affirmative action?

David was excited because Harvard had been his dream school for a long time, representing the culmination of years of hard work and academic achievement. He saw it as a significant step toward his future, even though the admissions process was changing due to the Supreme Court ruling.

What challenge did the Supreme Court ruling pose for students like David applying to Harvard?

The ruling struck down affirmative action, which had been used for decades to promote diversity in college admissions. As a result, Harvard had to change its admissions practices, and applicants like David had to navigate an environment where race could no longer be directly considered in the decision-making process.

What did David choose to focus on in his application essays for Harvard, and why?

David chose to highlight his Chinese heritage in his personal statement because it is an integral part of his identity. He believed that expressing his cultural background was an authentic way to present himself, regardless of how it might impact his chances.

What was David's academic and extracurricular profile like during his high school years?

David was an exceptional student with a GPA of 97.3 out of 100 and an SAT score of 1560. He was also highly involved in extracurriculars, including serving as a captain for both the Ston Math Team and the New York City Math Team, being a starting player on his school's volleyball team, and participating in the All-City Latin Jazz Ensemble.

How did David react to being deferred by Harvard and ultimately rejected?

David initially felt hopeful when deferred, believing he still had a chance. However, when he was rejected, he felt disappointed, especially since he had worked so hard and had hoped to make his parents proud. He also felt let down by the outcome, which affected his self-esteem.

What role did implicit bias play in David's rejection, according to his perspective?

David acknowledged that while race was no longer a formal part of the admissions process, implicit bias could still influence decision-making. He noted that stereotypes about Asian Americans, such as being reserved or focused solely on academics, might have shaped the way his application was perceived.

What was the significance of the 'personal rating' in the Harvard admissions process, and how did it impact Asian-American applicants?

The 'personal rating' included subjective traits such as humor, kindness, and leadership. Studies showed that Asian-American applicants were given lower ratings in this category compared to other racial groups, which negatively impacted their chances of admission, even when their academic qualifications were strong.

What concerns did critics have about the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action?

Critics, including students and activists, were concerned that the decision would lead to a decrease in diversity on college campuses. They worried that without affirmative action, underrepresented groups, particularly Black and Hispanic students, might face barriers to accessing higher education opportunities.

How did Joeli Castillo approach her college application, and what challenges did she face?

Joeli Castillo, an Afro-Latina applicant, wrote about her cultural background and personal struggles, including a difficult upbringing marked by her family's instability. She faced significant challenges due to a lack of resources and support, but despite these obstacles, she was accepted into several prestigious institutions.

How did legacy admissions policies factor into the broader debate on college admissions and diversity?

Legacy admissions, where children of alumni are given preference, have been criticized for perpetuating inequality by favoring wealthier, predominantly white families. Many believe these practices undermine the goal of a fair admissions process. Some colleges have begun to eliminate legacy preferences to promote a more equitable system.