By Donald Gilpin

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling two months ago that prohibited colleges from considering race, ethnicity, and national origin when considering candidates for admission, Princeton University has announced changes in its admissions procedure and has established an ad hoc committee to examine its admissions policies.

The committee’s recommendations are expected by the end of the 2023-24 academic year, according to a University press release. In effect for the current 2023-24 admissions cycle will be new essay prompts in the undergraduate application and new procedures to make the race, ethnicity, and national origin of the applicants unavailable to University personnel.

“The University will be in full compliance with the Supreme Court ruling for the 2023-24 admissions cycle,” said Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber. “But this ruling also comes after a global pandemic and amid a significant expansion of the undergraduate student body. It is a good time to take a broader look and ensure our admissions policies in general are optimally serving the University’s mission.”

The press release went on to note that “the committee’s work will be guided by the two key principles that undergird Princeton’s admissions process: merit-driven admissions and the imperative to attract and support talented students from all sectors of society, including underrepresented groups.”

Immediately after the June 29 Supreme Court ruling, Eisgruber reaffirmed the University’s determination to “preserve — and, indeed, grow — the diversity of our community while fully respecting the law.”  He added, “Talent exists in every sector of American society, and we have an obligation to attract exceptional people of every background and enable them to flourish on our campus.”

A number of possible admissions reforms are expected to be on the table for discussion as the committee, led by University trustee and 1985 graduate Jose Alvarez, deliberates during the next eight or nine months. 

Most controversial perhaps, at Princeton as well as other selective universities, is the elimination of legacy admissions, but consideration will most likely also be given to expanding Princeton’s efforts to pursue class-based affirmative action; reaching out to schools that are outside of Princeton’s usual applicant pool; working more closely with community colleges; recruiting non-traditional students, including veterans, more vigorously; and other efforts to increase diversity. 

In addition to Alvarez, the members of the committee are all also Princeton University degree (either undergraduate or graduate) holders and members of the University’s board of trustees.