With the Supreme Court seemingly outlawing race-based admissions criteria at universities nationwide, many students of color wonder how to navigate the college admissions process. Multiracial students, for example, may be unsure how to proceed now that they appear deprived of the ability to state their background explicitly. We at Ivy Coach seek to reassure high school seniors who are encountering college applications for the first time. Elite schools will consider your race. In the wise words of Corine Bailey Rae, the more things change, the more they stay the same! 

Let’s unpack how college applications have changed and stayed the same for multiracial applicants and how to optimize the odds of admission to a highly selective college.

The Roberts Loophole is the Best Way for Multiracial Applicants to Tell Their Stories

In theory, Affirmative Action has been taken off the table, but in practice, colleges will continue to weigh race-based admissions criteria (as they rightfully should!). How will they skirt the authority of the highest court in the nation? Through the Roberts Loophole, of course! The Roberts Loophole has left the door open for writing about race in the written portions of the application. Race can and should still be discussed in college application essays. Multiracial students often have a unique and compelling relationship to this essential aspect of their identity, and they should not be afraid to share this perspective with admissions officers.

A singular admissions hook, which showcases how you will change the world in a particular way tied to a unique passion, cause, or artistic discipline, is the most effective way to frame your application to elite schools in 2024. If your multiracial identity plays into your singular hook, admissions officers want to hear about it! After all, your application essays are the time to write a heartfelt story about yourself. The Supreme Court has given you the Roberts Loophole, so take advantage of it!

Should Multiracial Students Focus on One of Their Identities Over Another?

Many families come to Ivy Coach with the understandable concern that their child will jeopardize their admissions odds by focusing on one half of their heritage over another. Multiracial students of Asian descent, in particular, fear that by emphasizing their Asian heritage, they put themselves into the firing line of anti-Asian discrimination by elite schools.

We at Ivy Coach respond to these concerns with a reality check and reassurance. The truth is that admissions officers usually know when a student is multiracial. They ask for extensive details on the applicant’s parents, including maiden names and where they went to college and graduate school. Multiracial students should assume that admissions officers will be able to piece together their racial background. This is good news — you should proudly showcase your identity no matter where you apply.

But what about anti-Asian discrimination? The unfortunate truth is that many applicants of Asian descent do get discriminated against, but not because of their race alone. Asian applicants, including applicants of multiracial Asian descent, are highly scrutinized by admissions officers when they present profiles so often associated with their race. 

Excellence in STEM to the detriment of other subjects, string instruments, piano, track, and field — all characteristics found among Asian and Asian American applicants. Admissions officers discriminate against students who present with this profile because of the sheer volume of applicants who fit the same mold. Those students of Asian descent, including multiracial students, who set themselves apart through unique activities and pursuits that give admissions officers no chance to unfairly stereotype will not fall victim to an admissions double standard.

Multiracial Applicants Should Be Proud of Their Heritage on Their Applications

If you’ve distinguished yourself with a singular admissions hook, your race will not work against you on college applications. Don’t downplay one half of yourself for the sake of conforming to an unjust system. Wear your heritage proudly on the application! Ivy Coach applauds all those who do!