MBA Career Insights: How Recent Events Affecting Early Applications

Last Updated on December 17, 2023 by Robert C. Hoopes

Title: Harvard Sees a Decline in Early Applications Amidst Controversies and Post-Pandemic Adjustments

Word Count: 324

In recent news, early applications to Harvard University have witnessed a significant decline of 17% compared to the previous year. This news comes as a surprise to many considering the university’s prestigious reputation and long-standing popularity amongst ambitious students. The early application deadline for this year was November 1, just before Harvard President Claudine Gay’s testimony in Congress.

One probable reason for the decline in applications is the recent Supreme Court ruling, declaring affirmative action as unconstitutional. This ruling has prompted Harvard to reassess and adjust its admissions policies. It is the first admissions cycle since this decision, and the impact could be seen in the numbers. Last year, Harvard received an impressive 9,553 early applications, but this year it only admitted 692 students under the Early Action Program.

One possible contributor to the decline could be Harvard’s involvement in a national debate surrounding the handling of incidents of antisemitism on college campuses. The university faced backlash for a controversial letter signed by 30 student groups, alleging that Israel was responsible for violence. In response, over 1,600 alumni expressed anger and threatened to withhold future donations.

It is difficult to determine precisely how much the antisemitism row impacted prospective students’ decision not to apply. Nevertheless, it appears that the controversy did play a role, considering the national attention it drew. However, another viable factor for the decrease in applications could be the return to normalcy following the disruptive years of the pandemic. Prospective students may be reevaluating their educational choices after experiencing the upheavals brought on by the global health crisis.

Harvard administrators have emphasized their commitment to maintaining a diverse campus community despite the decline in applications. They have made adjustments to the admissions process to align with the Supreme Court ruling, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds still have a fair chance at admission.

As the admissions cycle progresses, Harvard University will be closely monitoring the demographic composition of its applicant pool. The university remains dedicated to providing an exceptional education to students from all walks of life, and they are optimistic about attracting a diverse range of candidates in the coming years.