The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is experiencing significant changes following the Supreme Court's ruling to end affirmative action. Data reveals a sharp decline in admissions from historically under-represented racial and ethnic groups, with only 16% of new students identifying as Black, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islander.
This marks a notable drop of 10 percentage points from the previous year, which MIT's Dean of Admissions, Stu Schmill, anticipated. He expressed concern over potentially excluding many qualified applicants who would have thrived at the institution.
Since the Supreme Court's decision, which determined diversity-focused admissions policies conflicted with the equal protection clause of the US Constitution, MIT has been the first major university to publicly share its admissions data. President Sally Kornbluth acknowledged this year’s new student intake as being “outstanding” but pointed out the diminished racial and ethnic diversity crafted over decades.
Historically, around 25% of MIT's undergraduate students have identified with under-represented groups, but this year's figures indicate drastic changes. Specifically, black student enrollment dropped from 15% last year to just 5%, and the percentage of Hispanic and Latino students also fell, decreasing from 16% to 11%.
Interestingly, the percentage of White students among the new cohort slightly decreased from 38% to 37%. Meanwhile, Asian American enrollment increased, rising from 40% to 47%, causing some to question what defines 'under-represented' within the university.
MIT has clarified its admissions categories, noting Asian Americans are not counted among students historically under-represented in STEM fields. Schmill described the university’s previous standards for representation as “crude,” acknowledging the diversity challenges exacerbated by the ruling.
Although the newly reported admission percentages do not sum to 100% due to many students identifying with multiple racial or ethnic backgrounds, the shifts raise significant concerns. Data from the 2023 census indicates more than 40% of the US population now identifies as non-White, reflecting changing demographics across the nation.
Prior to the court’s decision, MIT enjoyed its most diverse admission class ever. Schmill revealed the university did not collect race or ethnicity information during the admissions process this year, choosing to gather this data only from enrolled students.
Post-decision, MIT has turned its focus to recruitment and financial aid initiatives, prioritizing low-income students across all backgrounds. Schmill emphasized the university’s commitment to fostering diversity through different measures such as prospective academic interests, extracurricular involvement, and socio-economic status.
Edward Blum, the head of the group Students for Fair Admissions which spearheaded the Supreme Court case, proclaimed the ruling ensures all students admitted can be proud knowing they were accepted solely based on merit. This backdrop highlights the tension at MIT as it seeks to fulfill its mission of diversity against the new legal realities.
