Planning for College After Affirmative Action

This year’s high school seniors are facing a much-changed college admissions landscape following the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action based on race. Our panel discussed how seniors and other aspiring college students, including those in underserved communities, can best prepare for college and present themselves in the application process — as well as offer guidance for the counselors, educators, and parents who support them.

Guests:

• Anthony Jack, faculty director of the Newbury Center and associate professor, Boston University
• Mandy Savitz-Romer, senior lecturer in Human Development and Education, Faculty Lead, Counseling Strand, HGSE
• Eric Waldo, president and CEO, District of Columbia College Access Program

Host:

Francesca Purcell, senior lecturer on education, HGSE

Key Takeaways:

• Counselors need guidance and training in how to support all students and to be able to discuss race.
• Students should be encouraged to present strengths-based applications.
• Families must be brought into the college application process sooner and colleges need to be more available for questions.

Resources:

• Building Diverse College Communities (Education Now)
• Affirmative Action is Over. Should Applicants Still Mention Their Race? (The New York Times)
• Questions and Answers Regarding the Supreme Court's Decision in Students For Fair Admissions, Inc v. Harvard College and University of North Carolina (US Department of Education)
• The Future of DEI in Higher Education (Harvard EdCast)
• Financial Aid Resources (District of Columbia College Access Program)