MIT has reported a decline in the diversity of its incoming Class of 2028, a direct result of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that ended race-based admissions.
The percentage of students identifying as Black, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islander has dropped to 16%, down from the usual 25%. This shift follows the Court’s 6-3 decision, which found affirmative action at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause.
MIT’s Dean of Admissions, Stu Schmill, acknowledged the impact of the ruling in an article on MIT’s website, stating it was expected to result in fewer students from historically underrepresented groups. While Harvard has yet to release its demographic data, concerns about the negative effects on campus diversity are growing among students.
“[Many people have told me over the years that MIT ought to care only about academic excellence, not diversity,” Schmill said in a Q&A interview with MIT News. “But every student we admit, from any background, is already located at the far-right end of the distribution of academic excellence. In my time as dean, we have considered only applicants who meet our extremely high threshold of academic readiness . Recognizing the substantial educational benefits of diversity, we then worked to assemble from that highly qualified group a class that reflected both breadth and excellence in its collective interests, aptitudes, and experiences.”
In a written response to the MIT community on the website, MIT President Sally Kornbluth emphasized the need to “seek out new approaches” to maintain a diverse student body. The institution remains committed to meeting 100% of the financial needs of all undergraduates, ensuring that an MIT education remains accessible.
The Supreme Court’s decision allows consideration of how race has influenced applicants’ lives, but the long-term impact on diversity at elite institutions remains uncertain.
