The Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Ruling: A Step Backward for Equality

The Supreme Court's decision to end race-conscious admissions is expected to have wide-ranging effects on colleges and universities. The demographics of campuses will change, as seen in states that have already banned race-conscious admissions. Medical schools and professional degree programs are likely to see a decrease in Black and Latino students, impacting the pipeline of doctors and the diversity of the legal profession. Historically Black colleges and universities may experience a surge in applications as Black students seek nurturing environments. Colleges are also concerned about potential lawsuits challenging admissions practices that are seen as proxies for race-based admissions.