If Parents Graduated from Harvard, Admission Chances Are 6 Times Higher... US Faces Alumni Preference Controversy

About 70% of 'Legacy' Applicants Are White
Issues Raised Over Discrimination Against Students of Color

Recently, as the federal Supreme Court ruled affirmative action policies favoring minority groups in college admissions unconstitutional, criticism has been mounting against 'legacy' admissions policies that give preference to alumni or donors' children.

Protest Demonstration Against the Supreme Court Ruling on the Unconstitutionality of Affirmative Action Policies for Minority College Admissions
Photo by Xinhua News Agency Yonhap News

According to a BBC report on the 3rd (local time), the Boston-based nonprofit organization Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) filed a complaint with the federal Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, claiming that Harvard University's legacy admissions violate civil rights laws. They argued, "Hundreds of white students receive preferential treatment in the admissions process not because of their achievements, but because of who their relatives are."

According to LCR, about 70% of applicants admitted through legacy admissions related to alumni or donors were white, and these applicants were 6 to 7 times more likely to be admitted to Harvard compared to other applicants. Additionally, as of 2019, approximately 28% of graduates were children of alumni whose parents or relatives attended Harvard University. LCR stated, "This admission category is unrelated to the applicant's aptitude or strengths" and "systemically disadvantages students of color."

The organization requested a federal government-level investigation from the Department of Education. They also demanded that legacy admissions policies be declared illegal and that if Harvard University refuses to abolish them, federal funding to the university should be withheld. Civil rights laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, and programs receiving support from the Department of Education can be reported to the Office for Civil Rights if they violate these laws.

Earlier, in 2021, the state of Colorado passed a bill abolishing legacy admissions at public universities. At that time, the Colorado governor reportedly signed the bill stating, "Just because a family is well-off or because a parent or grandparent graduated from that school does not mean they can take the place of another student with greater potential." Efforts to abolish legacy admissions policies are ongoing at several other universities, but there are still strong voices supporting the policy.

LCR added, "Why should children be rewarded for privileges and advantages that occurred in previous generations?" and "Your family's achievements and your bank account balance cannot be fair measures, nor should they be related to college admissions procedures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.