(Photo courtesy of public domain)
As we move into college admissions without Affirmative Action, students continue to face harsh implications.
"I applied to 17 colleges."
This is a statement many aren’t familiar with because the average high school student applying to college tends to stick to 7-10 schools.
Not me; I applied to 17 colleges. Coming from a family of immigrants and being an immigrant myself, getting a college education wasn't just an option; it was always the next step after high school.
Applying to and attending college has always been rigorous and daunting, but now it's even harder. And this all started in Summer 2023.
For context, Affirmative Action in the United States is the active effort to improve educational opportunities for members of groups that have been subjected to discrimination. Students who fit the affirmative action criteria include race, disability, gender identity, and ethnicity.
On June 29, 2023, in an attempt to ‘include’ and ‘justify’ the application process in college, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to eliminate Affirmative Action, ruling that race-conscious admissions practices are unconstitutional and thus bringing an end to decades of race consideration as a factor in college admission decisions.
While there are arguments on both sides about whether Affirmative Action is good or bad, it is clear that this decision has caused more negative than positive changes for not just American-born students but also naturalized and international students.
This decision has caused discourse and disadvantages to communities including, but not limited to, African American, Native American, and Hispanic students all across the country.
Following the ruling, there has been a decrease in college acceptance rates, limited educational spots for international students, and little to no financial aid towards international and minoritized students.
Take UNC Chapel Hill as an example. Out of approximately 2,500 international students that applied to the school, less than 13% were accepted. Of the few offered waitlist spots, fewer than 9 students(as of Fall 2023) made it off the waitlist.
So, again: I applied to 17 colleges. Was it stupid or strategic? I'm not sure.
However, for most of us defined as international students, it’s important to have options because even our backups aren't secure.
This journey has shown me the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of changing educational policies.
As someone who already has gone through the college application process and seen the effects of Affirmative Action being disintegrated, I am reminded of the broader implications of these decisions on students everywhere and the critical need for equitable access to education.
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