5 Reasons to Support Affirmative Action in College Admissions

For much of American history, elite colleges and universities were largely reserved for wealthy, predominantly white Americans. Only in the 20th century did these institutions begin to actively prioritize diversity and expand access by adopting tools such as affirmative action—the narrowly tailored practice of considering race and ethnicity as part of a holistic evaluation of a student’s application. This report suggests that affirmative action is one of the best tools colleges and universities have to promote diversity and ensure that those who are otherwise shut out of the American postsecondary system have a chance to earn a quality degree.