Biden’s Education Department investigates Harvard’s legacy admissions policies
Biden's Education Department investigates Harvard's legacy admissions policies
Legacy Preferences in College Admissions Under Investigation at Harvard
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling striking down the use of affirmative action, top colleges like Harvard are now facing scrutiny over their preferential treatment of legacy applicants. The Department of Education has opened an investigation into Harvard’s admissions process based on allegations of racial discrimination.
The complaint, filed by Black and Latino community groups in New England, argues that legacy applicants are up to seven times more likely to be admitted to Harvard and that approximately 70% of them are white. The group claims that this preferential treatment of legacy applicants takes admissions slots away from qualified students of color, who are left competing for fewer spots. They argue that legacy preferences have nothing to do with an applicant’s merit and only serve to perpetuate privilege based on family background.
Harvard, in response to the investigation, stated that it has been reviewing its admissions policies to ensure compliance with the law since the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action. The university aims to increase access, diversity, and equity in its admissions process.
Legacy preferences in college admissions have come under scrutiny in recent years, with several universities including Wesleyan, Amherst College, Carnegie Melon University, and Johns Hopkins University eliminating such policies. The Supreme Court ruling banning affirmative action has forced institutions of higher education to find alternative ways to achieve student diversity.
Many people, including NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, have commended the Education Department’s investigation into legacy preferences. Johnson believes that every talented and qualified student deserves an equal opportunity to attend their college of choice, and legacy admissions undermine this principle.
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A study conducted by Harvard and Brown researchers further supports the argument against legacy preferences. The study reveals that wealthy students are twice as likely to be admitted to elite schools compared to their lower- or middle-income counterparts, even when they have similar standardized test scores. Legacy admissions, along with athletic recruitment and extracurricular credentials, were found to contribute to the advantage high-income students have in college admissions.
This investigation into Harvard’s admissions process represents a significant step in addressing the issue of legacy preferences and striving for a more inclusive and equitable higher education system. Ending legacy preferences is just one of the many steps that universities, including Harvard, can take to increase access, diversity, and equity in admissions. As the education landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for institutions to reassess their practices and create a level playing field for all students.
Authors: Annie Ma and Gary Fields (Associated Press)
