What to expect from Common App after the Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions

I’m very disheartened to see the Supreme Court end a practice that has helped diversify college campuses across the country. While we know that race is only one factor used in admissions decisions, today’s decision has far-reaching implications for ensuring a level-playing field to college for all underrepresented students. As we continue to learn more about the impact of the Court’s decision, Common App remains committed to doing our part to help close equity gaps for all students in higher education.

We will continue to support our member colleges and universities as they adapt their admissions decision processes in light of the Court’s decision. Beginning on August 1, Common App members will have the ability to hide (or “suppress”) the self-disclosed race and ethnicity information from application PDF files for both first-year and transfer applications, and to configure the data imports to recognize or exclude race and ethnicity. 

Common App’s mission to promote access and equity in college admissions has never been more important. Support for students is at the core of that effort, and we’ll continue to find ways to enable them to share their lived experiences on the college application. 

We’ll also continue to pilot initiatives that bring more students into the college admissions process, and we will work closely with our membership to support them in their efforts to bring in a diverse class of students.

You can read more about our plans on our website.

Jenny Rickard is the president and CEO of Common App, a not-for-profit membership organization committed to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process.