Affirmative Action—A Crack in the Door to Higher Education

PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY

Special Report

Affirmative Action and Higher Education: Challenges and Paths Forward

Background and Goal:In 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) struck down race-conscious admissions in higher education, reshaping affirmative action policies. While applicants can still discuss race in personal essays, these discussions must be tied to specific personal attributes or unique contributions to the institution. This special report examines the ruling’s wide-reaching effects, particularly on underrepresented minority (URM) students, and proposes strategies for preserving diversity in higher education and professional fields, including medicine.

Key Insights:Institutions such as MIT and Amherst College have reported significant declines in Black and Latino student enrollment, a trend that underscores the challenge of maintaining diversity without race-conscious policies. In medical school admissions, the lack of standardized guidelines for evaluating applicants’ experiences tied to race risks further marginalizing students who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC), potentially worsening disparities in the health care workforce. To address these challenges, institutions must innovate and engage at all levels. Critical strategies include expanding STEM enrichment programs, strengthening K-16 recruitment efforts, and maintaining holistic admissions processes. Admissions committees must receive robust training on implicit bias, cultural humility, and structural racism to ensure objective evaluations of applicants’ lived experiences. Institutional safeguards are also needed to maintain compliance with legal requirements and support consistent implementation of these efforts.

Why It Matters:A diverse higher education and health care workforce is critical for achieving equity and improving societal outcomes. Research consistently shows that diverse medical teams lead to better patient care, stronger provider-patient relationships, and reduced health disparities. Addressing these challenges requires immediate action, systemic reforms, and sustained commitment to fostering equity and inclusion.

Affirmative Action—A Crack in the Door to Higher Education

Billy Thomas, MD, MPH

Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas