Dreams Uncertain – Navigating College Admissions as a Latino First-Generation Student After Affirmative Action
As a first-generation student, I often felt lost and isolated when it came to applying for college. I grew up in a small agricultural town where the path to higher education often felt out of reach, and I had no one to guide me through the overwhelming maze of college applications and financial aid forms.
I feared rejection at every turn, especially because of my low standardized test scores, which felt like a barrier. I put immense pressure on myself to craft the perfect personal essays, believing they were my only chance to stand out and prove I was worthy of being admitted. The stakes were high: the weight of my dreams and my family’s hopes rested entirely on my shoulders. At times, the uncertainty of it all felt unbearable.
The 2023 Supreme Court decision Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University and the University of North Carolina that ended race-conscious admissions programs at colleges and universities ensured this process became even more challenging for Latino students. Latino Students are more likely than their peers to be the first in their families to attend college. A recent UnidosUS survey found that an overwhelming majority – 72 % – of Latino students worry about the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions on their college admissions, and 60% are concerned about a potential decrease in campus diversity overall.
The goal of affirmative action policies historically was to provide students of color access to institutions that were once out of reach due to systemic barriers. Its origins can be traced to pivotal civil rights cases, like Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978), where the Supreme Court established that race could be considered a factor in admissions. This decision was meant to address the effects of racial discrimination and established diversity as a compelling institutional interest to pursue affirmative action.
For Latino students, affirmative action has served as a critical tool in opening doors to educational opportunities and fostering more diverse, inclusive campuses.
In response to the Supreme Court ruling, the Biden-Harris administration issued a comprehensive set of resources to guide colleges and universities on incorporating factors like income status and other hardships into their admissions processes. These resources included a fact sheet, Q&A document, and a detailed report outlining comprehensive strategies. This guidance caused many selective institutions of higher education to reevaluate their admissions processes.
The current guidance clarifies that the Supreme Court’s decision does not bar institutions from considering hardship students face resulting from discrimination or inspiration drawn from their backgrounds. Colleges and universities can and should adopt holistic admissions practices that evaluate applicants comprehensively. This approach considers qualities like resilience, leadership, community involvement, and the ability to navigate systemic challenges. These qualities, often overlooked by traditional academic metrics, are essential for understanding the full potential of students.
Latino students who have faced and overcome barriers like food insecurity, worked to support their families, or balanced multiple responsibilities bring invaluable perspectives and strengths to college campuses. Latino students navigating the admissions process should not feel discouraged from sharing their full stories. Instead, they should emphasize their resilience and the challenges that have shaped their journey. Admissions processes that honor these experiences not only provide equitable access but also help students see their own backgrounds as assets, fostering confidence and empowerment.
Institutions should also consider actionable strategies such as ending legacy admissions, which often reinforce privilege and hinder diversity and explore direct admissions programs that simplify and expand access for qualified students. Holistic review processes should place meaningful emphasis on the adversity and resilience students have demonstrated, evaluating applicants within the context of their financial means, neighborhood conditions, and experiences with hardships, including racial discrimination. These approaches can amplify the message that students’ personal stories of challenge and inspiration are essential components of their applications and should be celebrated.
By encouraging students to share their unique narratives and embracing equitable admissions practices, institutions can build pathways that empower Latino students to access and thrive in higher education. This commitment is vital for creating a system that is inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the diverse experiences students bring to their campuses. Thanks to this same commitment, I was able to navigate my journey as an undergraduate and pursue graduate education. Together, these efforts will ensure that higher education continues to serve as a powerful engine for opportunity, innovation, and social progress.
By Cristian Reyes, UnidosUS Higher Education Policy Intern
