Navigating the Complexities of Affirmative Action and College Diversity

Following the Supreme Court's rejection of race-based affirmative action, colleges are grappling with how to maintain racial diversity in their admissions processes. While direct consideration of race is no longer an option, colleges can pursue diversity through various means, such as actively seeking diverse applicants from overlooked high schools and regions, reviewing essays and recommendations for relevant information, making standardized tests optional, eliminating legacy preferences and reducing slots for recruited athletes. However, these approaches are challenging and not guaranteed to achieve racial diversity. Colleges are concerned that the elimination of race-conscious admissions may lead to significant drops in Black, Latino, and Native American enrollment, and are exploring alternative strategies to continue promoting diversity.