The Supreme Court has been hearing cases challenging affirmative action at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, the conservative side of which has seemingly been pushing to end the process of race-conscious admissions, suggesting the possibility of the policy ending.

   In simple terms, affirmative action is a policy that considers an individual’s race, sex, religion, gender, or nationality during a selection process, and typically gives preference to those who are from underrepresented

backgrounds. 

   Affirmative action does not impact most college admissions. A study from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) found that 3.4% of colleges report race/ethnicity having “considerable” influence and 11.1% having a “moderate” influence on admissions.        

   However, for highly selective colleges, the policy does make a difference.

   Affirmative action has been outlawed in California since 1996. According to Mitchell Chang, the associate vice chancellor of equity, diversity, and inclusion at UCLA, a post-affirmative action world could mean that people-of-color could be excluded from accessing higher education. 

   He noted that after the ban on race-conscious admissions, UCLA saw a “significant drop in African American and Latino students” that took decades to correct. Some are pointing to this to show the harm that could come from ending affirmative action.    

   Supporters of outlawing the policy, such as Students for Fair Admissions, argue that it discriminates against Asian Americans by rating them lower than other applicants or forcing them to meet higher standards. 

   The Supreme Court’s rulings in the cases, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, No. 20-1199, and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina, No. 21-707, are expected to be decided in June.