Banning race as a factor in admissions decisions by colleges and universities in the United States has presented a challenge to achieving diversity among students. However, the experience of two highly selective public law schools, the University of Michigan Law School and the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, provides valuable insights for other institutions facing similar circumstances.
Following the prohibition of affirmative action in public university admissions, the enrollment of Black, Hispanic, and Native American first-year students at both schools experienced a significant decline. However, both institutions managed to surpass pre-ban levels by implementing new strategies, which can guide other schools aiming to admit diverse students.
These strategies include participating in pipeline programs that introduce college students to legal careers and considering factors such as applicants' family income and whether they are the first in their families to attend college. By adopting such approaches, the percentages of diverse groups rebounded over time.
For instance, Berkeley Law's total percentage of Black, Hispanic, and Native American first-year students dropped from 19% in 1996 to less than 6% in 1997 after the affirmative action ban. However, it has since increased, with the current figures standing at 20% for Asian American enrollment and 15% for Michigan Law.
The recent Supreme Court ruling has sparked interest among law school administrators from states where affirmative action is prohibited, as they seek guidance on enrolling diverse classes without considering race. To address this, the Association of American Law Schools has organized a virtual conference on admissions in a post-affirmative action landscape.
In response to the ban, law school admissions officials employ various strategies. Alongside efforts to recruit and admit diverse students, they are also capitalizing on the changing demographics of the law school applicant pool. Factors such as whether applicants are the first in their families to attend college, their high school attended, and family income are considered. Application essays provide additional insight into an applicant's background.
Recruiting at events targeted towards minority applicants and at institutions with significant minority enrollment is prioritized. Both Michigan Law and Berkeley Law refrain from collecting information about an applicant's race to comply with state laws.
Recovering from California's affirmative action ban was a gradual process for Berkeley Law, involving efforts to attract a diverse pool of applicants, admit students without considering race, and encourage them to enroll. Financial data is collected from accepted students to provide targeted financial aid. Still, it is acknowledged that promoting economic diversity alone yields a different level of racial diversity than the immediate consideration of race.
According to admissions officials, achieving diversity without affirmative action requires additional institutional effort. There is a concern that colleges and universities may abandon diversity efforts following the Supreme Court decision, underscoring the importance of continued commitment to fostering inclusivity.
