In the recent case against Harvard, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that colleges can no longer use affirmative action in college admissions. The Court, however, did not say that colleges could not consider race at all. Instead, writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said:
“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.”
What Does This Affirmative Action Decision Mean For Applicants?
Colleges can — and will — continue to use the information they glean from admissions essays to help fulfill their missions to build equitable, inclusive, and diverse campus communities. For all students, the ruling increases the focus on the type of contributions beyond academics that students will bring to campus. For students of color, this may mean including information about their identity to ensure the college knows them fully, as essays may become the only legal means to do so. This makes their approach to the college essay that much more important.
Making It Personal
During their initial brainstorming process, students from minority populations often consider potential essay topics based on some aspect of their racial background or identity. This is still a valid, and acceptable approach, as long as the essay is focused not just on race alone, but on the impact their race has had in developing the student’s defining characteristics, or how race-based experiences have led the student to some aspect of personal growth.
The Essay’s Purpose
The main goal of the written information in a college application is twofold:
- Tell colleges something about the student that the admission officer can’t learn from reading the rest of the application.
- Help the admissions team gain a deeper understanding of some of the student’s defining moments or characteristics and how they will contribute to the college community.
For students whose minority identity has required them to overcome challenges or helped them develop a passion for leadership or service, for example, the essay is a great opportunity for them to call those qualities out, to help the admissions team get to know them fully. It’s important for students to remember to weave those experiences into a personal narrative that describes how they will use those unique qualities to make a positive contribution to the college at large.
Next Steps?
Well before your student sits down to craft their essay, they’ll want to be sure they have concrete examples of what they have done or how they have grown as a result of their race-based experiences. Whether they’ve been motivated to mentor others, developed a passion for leadership, or been driven to achieve against all odds, the admissions team will be looking to learn how your student has brought his or her personal characteristics and values to life.
If you think your student may need help developing their topic and/or writing their admission essays, our team of coaches is here to help. To learn more, contact Sally Spector, our Director of College Essays, at [email protected].