Brown University's representation of Asian students has increased this year since the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, according to data released Friday by the university.
Brown University's freshman enrollment increased from 29% to 33% for the fall 2023 semester. According to For college demographic data for the 2024-25 academic year. In a landmark decision in June 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that race-based admissions systems were unconstitutional, forcing universities to end affirmative action policies that discriminate against white and Asian students.
The percentage of black, Hispanic and white students at Brown University all decreased compared to the previous year, but the percentage of students who did not disclose their race increased from 4% to 7%. Of the 3,289 freshmen who enrolled on Brown's campus for the fall semester, 9% were black, 10% were Hispanic and 43% were white. (Related article: Elite universities ranked lowest for freedom of speech, report reveals)
“Brown University's commitment to a campus community that is diverse in every sense remains unchanged, and the first step in welcoming a diverse class is to ensure that talented students from all backgrounds are able to apply,” Logan Powell, Brown's vice president for admissions and dean of undergraduate admissions, said in a statement. “Expanding our race-neutral strategies to encourage a talented and increasingly diverse freshman class will remain our priority.”
Students gather at Harvard University's Science Center Plaza for a rally in support of affirmative action following the Supreme Court ruling on July 1, 2023 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Brown University has changed its application process to reflect the court's decision, replacing an essay assignment with one that asks students to detail “how some aspect of their development inspired or challenged them, and what unique contribution that experience will enable them to make at Brown.” The university will also reinstate a requirement that students submit standardized test scores, beginning with the class of 2029, which will be interpreted “in the context of a student's overall record, background, and opportunity.”
“Some applicants focused on experiences related to their identity, while others responded to the new essay theme by writing about a variety of topics, from the impact of climate change and global conflict on their lives to personal experiences and work in their communities,” Powell said. “Ultimately, our goal was to provide applicants with ample opportunity to detail their talents, skills, experiences and ideas as they seek the college education that best suits them. We accepted a class that was academically excellent and reflected the breadth of perspectives and experiences that are essential to our learning and research community.”
Asian students consistently outperform other races on the SAT test, with an average score of 1,219 compared with 1,082 for white students, 943 for Hispanic students, and 908 for black students. According to Many colleges dropped standardized testing requirements during the pandemic, then have since reinstated them, according to the College Entrance Examination Board's 2023 annual report.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) also reports that the ruling will result in a similar increase in Asian freshman enrollment, from 41% to 47% in 2023.
Brown and Powell did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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