Introduction
The college admissions landscape shifted dramatically in 2023 when the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision curbing the use of race in admissions. The ruling struck down race-conscious admissions policies at Harvard and UNC, sending a clear message to all U.S. colleges: consider race explicitly, and you’re likely violating the Constitution.
For many students, families, and institutions, the big question became — what happens now? With the first admissions cycle following the ruling underway, early data shows noticeable shifts in who’s getting admitted and where, especially for Black and African American students. While some universities have seen steep declines in their diversity numbers, others appear largely unaffected. But the full impact is still unfolding.
In this article, we explore what’s changed so far, how colleges are adjusting their policies, and what prospective students — particularly students of color — should be aware of as they prepare to apply in a post-affirmative action era.
Description
H2: What the Supreme Court Ruled — And Why It Matters
In June 2023, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that race-conscious admissions practices at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Court argued that these programs weren’t narrowly tailored enough to be constitutional, effectively outlawing the consideration of race as a direct factor in admissions.
However, the door wasn’t completely closed. The Court left room for colleges to consider an applicant’s life experiences and background — including how race has influenced their journey — through personal essays and other narrative elements of the application.
H2: What We’re Seeing in the First Year Post-Ruling
H3: Declines in Black Student Enrollment at Selective Colleges
Some colleges are already reporting noticeable drops in Black and African American enrollment for the Class of 2028:
MIT saw the most significant change, with an 8-point drop in Black student enrollment and a 6-point increase in Asian American enrollment.
Washington University in St. Louis and Tufts University both saw drops of 3–4 points among Black students.
Yale remained steady for Black enrollment but experienced a 6-point dip in Asian American numbers.
Other institutions, like the University of Virginia, reported minimal demographic changes, with shifts within just a few percentage points.
While only a limited number of schools have released enrollment data so far, the early signs suggest a decline in racial diversity at some of the nation’s top institutions. More definitive trends are likely to emerge once additional data becomes public in the fall.
H3: Where Diversity Has Held Steady — and Why
Some schools have shown more stable or even slightly improved diversity stats. Duke University, for example, increased its share of Black and Hispanic students by one percentage point. This may be the result of proactive, race-neutral policies, such as Duke’s new tuition waiver for lower-income students in North and South Carolina.
Similarly, UVA has begun offering free tuition to low-income in-state students, helping to support diversity despite the ruling. These kinds of efforts — focused on financial access rather than race — may prove essential in maintaining campus diversity going forward.
H2: Why the Impact Varies Across Institutions
H3: Legacy Admissions & Institutional Priorities Still in Play
While race can no longer be used as a deciding factor, other longstanding admissions practices — like legacy preference, donor status, or athletic recruitment — continue to play a major role. These can skew admissions in favor of wealthier, often white applicants.
As one expert noted, the system removed a tool designed to help underrepresented students without rebalancing other factors that still disadvantage them.
H3: Application Behavior May Also Be Shifting
It’s not just admissions policies that are changing — student behavior is, too. After California banned affirmative action at its public universities in the 1990s, researchers found that fewer Black and Latino students applied to highly selective schools like Berkeley and UCLA, even if they were academically qualified.
A similar shift may be happening now. Some students of color may be reconsidering where they apply, opting for schools they perceive as more inclusive or where they believe they’ll be better supported.
H3: Colleges Aren’t Overhauling Fast Enough
Many institutions haven’t yet updated their admissions practices to meaningfully account for the loss of race-conscious admissions. Without strong race-neutral alternatives or updated recruitment strategies, it’s likely that gaps in diversity will widen — especially at highly selective schools.
Experts warn that unless colleges rethink who they recruit, how they build relationships with underrepresented students, and how they allocate financial aid, there may be limited progress in reversing the current trends.
H2: Strategies Colleges Are Using to Adapt
Some schools are trying to adapt by putting greater focus on socioeconomic diversity, geographic diversity, and personal background narratives:
Tuition waivers for low-income applicants
“Diversity statements” that invite students to share how their lived experiences have shaped them
Direct admissions programs, where students meeting academic benchmarks are admitted automatically — although these are rare at the most selective institutions
Still, these efforts are in early stages, and their long-term impact remains to be seen.
H2: What Students Should Keep in Mind
If you’re a student of color navigating this new landscape, you can still stand out in a holistic admissions process. Here are a few key points to consider:
Use your personal statement to share your story — including challenges you’ve overcome and the perspectives you bring.
Focus on authenticity and context — how your background has shaped your goals, learning style, or community contributions.
Look into schools that are transparent about their commitment to diversity and what programs they offer to support students like you.
Don’t hesitate to apply to top schools — many are still actively seeking diverse applicants through expanded outreach and financial support.
Understanding how the system is evolving can help you better prepare, advocate for yourself, and make informed decisions about where to apply.
Also See: Understanding College Holistic Review