Is DEI Dead in College Admissions?

In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against the use of race in college admissions, effectively ending affirmative action policies that had been in place for decades. This decision means that colleges can no longer consider an applicant's race as a factor in admissions decisions.

But does that mean race no matter counts?

Short answer? No. It’s just... going stealth.

Colleges still want a wide range of voices, experiences, and perspectives. They just can’t say that out loud anymore.

So now, it’s on you—the student—to say it well.

What Changed—and What Didn’t

The Supreme Court ruling eliminated race-conscious admissions. A lot of schools are now legally blocked from considering race as a factor—at least directly. But let’s not pretend this is the first time students had to navigate a messy system.

Colleges are still looking for:

• students who’ve overcome barriers

• students who think differently because of where or how they grew up

• students who bring something unique to the classroom, not just academically but socially and culturally

That’s still the goal. But how they get there? That’s shifted.

They’re reading your essays and activities harder. They’re noticing your ZIP code. Your high school. Whether you’re first-gen, low-income, or coming from an under-resourced district. They're not blind—and they're not dumb.

So no, your identity isn’t invisible. It’s just not going to be circled in red on an application form. You have to thread it into your story with skill.

How to Show Who You Are Without Listing Labels

This is where strategy matters. A lot of students (and parents) worry that if they can’t talk about identity outright, then they’re at a disadvantage. But let me be clear:

You can absolutely write about your race, culture, family, religion, sexuality, or any part of your experience—as long as it’s part of a bigger story.

Here’s how to do it right:

Use identity as context, not content.

Instead of writing about being Latina or Black or Muslim or queer, write about how that identity shaped your perspective. How did it influence how you handle conflict, or lead others, or see the world?

Ground it in a real story.

Don’t just say, “As a first-gen student, I learned resilience.” Show us the night you had to translate a financial aid letter for your parents. The first time you had to speak up for yourself in a room full of people who didn’t get your background.

 Make it about what you’re bringing, not what you’ve been through.

Resilience, cultural fluency, empathy, clarity of values—those are the real admissions gold. Show them you’ve thought deeply about who you are, not just what happened to you.

What This Means for Your Applications

In the post-affirmative action world, the essay is everything. It’s not just about standing out—it’s about creating clarity.

Admissions officers need to understand:

• Where you’re coming from

• How you think

• What kind of community member you’ll be

• What you’ll contribute, not just what you’ve survived

This means no vague language. No “I faced challenges, but I overcame them.” Show us which challenges. How you responded. And what it taught you—about yourself, the world, and your place in it.

College admissions has never been fair.

If you’re wondering, “Will my kid still have a fair shot?” Stop thinking college admissions will ever be fair, with DEI or without it. But you can be strategic. 

Here’s what matters more than ever:

• Clarity of voice. Is your student saying something real and reflective?

• Narrative strength. Are they tying their experiences into a bigger personal philosophy?

• Emotional intelligence. Can they show curiosity and complexity, not just righteousness?

This is especially important for students from marginalized backgrounds. You no longer have a checkbox working in your favor. But that doesn’t mean the door is closed. It just means you need to walk through it on your own terms—with a story only you can tell.

Less Has Changed Than You Think

Colleges still care deeply about building thoughtful, diverse classes. They still believe students learn more when they're around others with different perspectives. That hasn’t changed.

What has changed is that now, the burden is on the student to translate who they are—through story, not identity tags.

So here’s my best advice:

• Don’t be afraid to include identity. Just be thoughtful about how.

• Don’t posture. Don’t moralize. Don’t try to sound “correct.”

• Do sound like you. With self-awareness, clarity, and a point of view.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real and smart at the same time.

You’ve got this. And if you need help? You know where to find me.