Harvard on Trial: Data shows drop in Asian & Asian American admissions

At a recent Harvard graduation ceremony.

ASIANS AND ASIAN AMERICANS was the only ethnic group whose acceptance rate into Harvard University dropped in 2017.

Asians had the lowest admission average rate among ethnic groups. 8.1%, compared to whites, 11.1%, African Americans. 13.2% and Hispanic Americans, 10.6%

Ironically, the data wasn't presented by the plaintiff's lawyers but by Harvard's attorney, William F. Lee, as he questioning long-time Dean of Admissions William R. Fitzsimmons.

Over a 18 year period, from 2000 to 2017, the acceptance rate for Asians dropped to 5.6% in 2017. 6.1% for Hispanic Americans, 6.8% for African Americans and 7% for European Americans.

The data didn't differentiate between Asian Americans and students who come from Asian countries.

Getting into Harvard, one of the top schools in world, is extremely competitive. The reason for the drop among groups is because applications have increased for the limited number of slots that has basically remained the same. For the class of 2018, the overall acceptance rate dropped to 4.6%.

The university offered admission to a total of 1,962 of its 42,749 applicants this year, the school announced Wednesday. According to the Harvard Crimson, the 4.6 percent acceptance rate is the lowest in Harvard’s centuries-old history, and it’s the fourth straight year that the percentage has decreased.

Harvard's Class of 2022

Asian American plaintiffs in the trial are represented by Students for Fair Admission, a creation of conservative activist Edward Blum. They will probably not testify in the trial and wish that they remain anonymous out of fear of harassment.

Blum is the man behind this litigation intent on pitting Asian Americans against other communities of color in an effort, as a final goal, to dismantle affirmative action, diversity programs and civil rights protections that benefit all people of color.

The trial began Monday and is expected to last three weeks in the Boston court.

Fitzwilliams took up the most time in the witness stand. Later, long-time Harvard admissions officer Christopher J. Looby took the stand followed by Harvard Director of Research for Admissions and Financial Aid Erica J. Bever. 

No matter what decision Judge Judge Allison D. Burroughs hands down, the case is likely to be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court.

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