Latest Harvard Enrollment Data Show Drop In Black Students, Uptick In Asians

Harvard University's Class of 2029 shows a decline in black student enrollment following the Supreme Court's ban on racial preferences in higher education admissions. Black American students now constitute 11.5 percent of the freshman class, a decrease compared to previous years. This decline comes after the Supreme Court ruled against Harvard and the University of North Carolina in a case brought by Students for Fair Admissions, which alleged discrimination against Asian American applicants. Conversely, Asian students represent 41 percent of the Class of 2029, an increase from prior years. The university highlighted the diverse origins of its admitted students, encompassing urban, suburban, and rural backgrounds from across the globe. Hispanic or Latino students make up 11 percent of the class, with Native American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander representation at nearly 2 percent. Students for Fair Admissions has also pursued similar actions against U.S. service academies. Former President Donald Trump had previously issued executive orders against racial preferences in admissions and mandated the public release of admissions data by race and gender. Concerns have been raised that the elimination of standardized testing requirements and the emphasis on personal essays are methods to circumvent the Supreme Court's ruling and maintain racial preferences. Despite these changes, Harvard maintains a low acceptance rate, with nearly half of its first-year students receiving free tuition. The Class of 2029 is highly international, representing 92 nations and all 50 U.S. states.