In a significant directive, the Trump administration has mandated that institutions of higher education must submit comprehensive data on their applicant pools. [7] This move intensifies the federal government's oversight of university admissions.
The policy requires universities to provide information disaggregated by race and sex, including GPA and standardized test scores for all applicants, not just enrolled students. [5] This is a move toward greater transparency, according to the White House. [6]
This initiative is a key part of the administration's political agenda to enforce the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that banned affirmative action. [2] Officials claim that without this data, there are concerns that schools use 'diversity statements' or other proxies to unlawfully consider race in their decisions. [4]
The directive brings the admissions process under intense scrutiny. The administration argues it will ensure that meritocracy and excellence characterize American higher education, judging students on their hard work and accomplishments rather than their skin color. [3, 5]
However, some higher education organizations have expressed concern, arguing that the directive could create a 'culture of fear' on campuses. [4] They also point out potential legal issues, as federal law itself prohibits colleges from collecting race information for the purpose of making admissions decisions, creating a complex situation for universities. [1, 9]