The Straits Times reports today: "The proportion of Asian American freshmen at Harvard University has reached its highest level in at least a decade, while the share of Black freshmen continues to decline for the third consecutive year. This shift in the freshman class's racial composition follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling banning consideration of race in college admissions."
According to enrollment data released by Harvard recently, the percentage of students identifying as Asian Americans rose from 41% last year to 43% this year—nearly doubling compared to five years ago. Meanwhile, the share of students identifying as Black or African American among incoming freshmen fell to 9.3%, down from 11.5% the previous year.
For decades, American universities have used affirmative action policies in admissions reviews to promote diversity in student bodies by taking applicants’ race into account. In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that such practices violate the Constitution. Harvard was among the defendants cited for allegedly discriminating against Asian American applicants in its admissions process over many years.
Commentary: Following the Supreme Court’s decision to end race-conscious admissions, Harvard’s freshman demographic has shifted sharply: the share of Asian American students has risen steadily, reaching a ten-year high, while the proportion of Black students has declined for three years in a row. Affirmative action was originally intended to address historical disparities and foster campus diversity. With the removal of racial preferences, admissions have increasingly emphasized academic metrics. Asian American students, who have long excelled in standardized test scores and academic competitions, now see their representation rise accordingly. Conversely, opportunities previously secured through policy-based advantages have diminished, leading to a drop in Black student enrollment shares.
The increase in Asian American enrollment reflects the sustained academic diligence and high achievement levels within the Chinese and broader Asian American communities, which have historically competed for elite university admissions through strong grades and test performance. During the era of affirmative action, Asian American applicants often faced higher academic thresholds than peers from other racial groups, prompting longstanding complaints about hidden caps on their admission numbers. With the elimination of race-based preferences, admissions have returned to a focus on measurable academic merit, allowing decades of accumulated educational advantages among Asian American students to be directly reflected in enrollment outcomes—an outcome that aligns with their persistent advocacy for fair, merit-based evaluation.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880723742059594/
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