Aug 22, 2024, 9:06 PM
Aug 22, 2024, 12:00 AM

MIT Reports Decline in Black and Latino Enrollment Following Supreme Court Ruling

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Highlights
  • MIT reports a significant decline in black and Latino enrollment following the Supreme Court ruling.
  • Percentage of black students at MIT drops three-fold to 5 percent in the freshman class.
  • The decrease in diversity in MIT's incoming freshmen is linked to the 2023 Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action.
Story

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has observed a notable demographic shift in its incoming first-year class, the first admitted following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to ban racial preferences in college admissions. The percentage of Asian American students has increased significantly from 40% to 47%, while the proportion of white students remains stable at 37%. MIT's admissions director, Schmill, emphasized that the academic competitiveness of the Class of 2028 is on par with previous cohorts, despite the changes in racial demographics. The Supreme Court's ruling, which deemed race-conscious admissions policies unconstitutional, has led to a stark decline in Black and Latino student enrollment at MIT. Currently, only 5% of the incoming students identify as Black, raising concerns among students and advocates about the implications for diversity and representation in higher education. Critics argue that this trend could diminish the perspectives and experiences that are vital for fostering inclusive engineering and technology fields. The Asian American Coalition for Education (AACE) has welcomed the increase in Asian American representation, viewing it as a positive development for the STEM workforce. However, they also highlighted the urgent need to improve educational opportunities for Black and Hispanic communities to address the decline in their representation at elite institutions like MIT. As other universities grapple with similar demographic changes following the Supreme Court ruling, experts urge institutions to ensure that student essays and personal experiences are given adequate consideration in the admissions process, allowing for a more holistic evaluation of applicants.

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