What High School Seniors Wrote in Their College Admissions Essays
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Following the Supreme Court's 2023 decision to strike down affirmative action, Chief Justice John Roberts allowed race to be considered in college essays only if connected to another characteristic or virtue.
- The Trump administration aggressively targeted diversity initiatives in higher education through funding cuts, legal challenges, and executive orders demanding universities cease diversity support and provide student demographic data.
- These actions have created anxiety among high school seniors applying to college, with many fearing that disclosing personal details about race, gender, or immigration status could negatively impact their admissions chances.
- Elsa Menendez, a mother from northern Spain, advised her daughter against writing about family visits or diversity in her college essay due to the prevailing political climate and concerns over potential repercussions.
- Conservatives argue
