How does my ethnicity factor into college admissions?

Hey guys, I've been hearing a lot of talk about how ethnicity plays a role in college admissions and I'm hella confused. Does it really impact chances? And if so, how? I mean, aren't the admissions supposed to be need-blind and stuff? Thanks in advance!

Hi there! Your question about ethnicity in college admissions is certainly a topic of ongoing debate and has seen significant changes recently.

In the past, some schools used a practice known as "affirmative action," where race was one of the factors considered by colleges in the admissions process as a way to promote diversity on campus. However, in June 2023, the Supreme Court struck down Affirmative Action, making it illegal for colleges to practice race-conscious admissions, meaning they can no longer factor race into their decision to accept or deny a student.

That said, colleges are still able to consider how race may have impacted a student as an individual. Essentially, they can consider experiences tied to race or ethnicity that a student elaborates on in their application, for example, in an essay or in the context of their extracurricular activities, community, or family circumstances. So if you've had experiences, challenges, or insights related to your ethnic background that you believe play a significant role in who you are, sharing these in your application could indeed still be impactful.

Just remember—every aspect of your application, from your academic performance and extracurricular involvement to your essays and letters of recommendation, plays a role in the college admission process.

Lastly, to clarify, "need-blind" actually refers to a school's policy of making admissions decisions without considering an applicant's ability to pay for college. It's about financial circumstances, not personal characteristics such as ethnicity or race. You might be thinking of "race-blind" admissions, which is now the standard practice following the aforementioned Supreme Court decision.

Hope this explanation clears up some of the confusion around this topic for you! It's a complex issue but understanding it can definitely help you as you navigate the college admissions process.