Harvard Law School has experienced a significant decline in Black student enrollment following the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling that struck down affirmative action in college admissions. This decline has resulted in the lowest number of Black first-year students at Harvard Law since the 1960s.
MAGA’s agenda seems to aim at reverting America to a time when racial abandonment and segregation were prevalent, reminiscent of the 1950s. Alarmingly, one area where they might find success is in influencing the diversity of Harvard Law School’s enrollment.
But before MAGA followers cheer this and Black readers panic, any applicant under consideration at Harvard Law can probably be accepted to 99% of the law schools in the country. The minority applicants who were not accepted to Harvard were likely to attend other top-tier law schools. Hence, those applicants will (hopefully) succeed anyway.
Enrollment Statistics
For the Class of 2027, Harvard Law School enrolled only 19 Black students, representing 3.4% of the incoming class. This is a stark decrease from the previous year’s class, which had 43 Black students. The drop is even more pronounced when compared to historical data, as Harvard Law typically enrolled between 50 and 70 Black students in its first-year class since 1970.
Impact on Other Demographics
The decline in enrollment was not limited to Black students:
1. Hispanic student enrollment decreased from 63 to 32 students
2. Asian student enrollment increased from 103 to 132 students
Opportunities Still Abound
This trend is not unique to Harvard Law School. The University of North Carolina School of Law, which was also named in the Supreme Court case, saw a decrease in Black first-year students from 13 to 9. However, the impact has been less dramatic at other top-tier law schools, with some even seeing increases:
1. Stanford Law School: Black first-year students increased from 12 to 23
2. Yale Law School: Black students increased from 23 to 25
Reactions and Perspectives
Harvard Law School officials have acknowledged the impact of the Supreme Court ruling but emphasize that conclusions from a single year of data are limited
David B. Wilkins, a Harvard law professor, attributes the decline to the “chilling effect” created by the Supreme Court decision.The Harvard Black Law Students Association described the enrollment decline as a “crushing loss” that fundamentally alters the experience of attending law school.
Broader Trends in Legal Education
But, again, Blacks are still enrolling in law schools at an elevated rate.
Despite the declines at some top-tier schools, the overall number of Black students enrolling in law schools across the country increased by about 3% from 2023 to 2024.
This suggests that while some prestigious institutions may be experiencing declines, Black students are still pursuing legal education at other institutions.
Conclusion
The significant drop in Black student enrollment at Harvard Law School highlights the immediate impact of the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action. As institutions adapt to the new legal landscape, it remains to be seen how they will address diversity in admissions while complying with the ruling.
It’s important to recognize that the college experience encompasses so much more than just exams and reports. Through engaging in discussions and collaborative projects, both inside and outside the classroom, students have the opportunity to gain invaluable insights from peers who come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. These interactions are crucial for their personal growth and play a significant role in shaping their future careers.