Harvard University President Claudine Gay’s resignation on Tuesday is just the latest upheaval at one of the nation’s top universities.
For college applicants, the move adds more uncertainty to the admissions process, which has already been transformed in the wake of the pandemic. Supreme CourtRuling against affirmative action.
“I don’t think Harvard will lose its crown as one of the most coveted universities,” said Hafeez Lakhani, founder and president of Lakhani Coaching in New York. However, “I see students Really shaken to the core.”
Harvard Early Decision Applications Drop 17%
This year’s early admissions cycle marked the first time race was not considered, reflecting changing dynamics.
Early applications before the Nov. 1 deadline — amid numerous anti-Semitic incidents on campus following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas — dropped 17%. Among the Class of 2028, 7,921 applied early, down from 9,553 last year. Harvard Crimson the report said.
Harvard’s acceptance rate reached 8.74%, an increase of more than one percentage point from last year 7.56% last yearrecording the highest early action acceptance rate since 2019.
More from Personal Finance:
Is an Ivy League degree worth it?
New FAFSA ‘soft launch’ hits snag
Fewer students are entering college
“Whatever changes we see this year, things will likely normalize over time,” Lakhani predicted.
In fact, the slightly more favorable admissions rates may have prompted more students to apply before the regular admissions deadline of Jan. 1, said Christopher Rim, president and CEO of college consulting firm Command Education.
He added that Gay’s resignation came shortly after the deadline and about a month after Gay and then-Penn President Liz Magill were criticized for answers they gave during a congressional hearing about anti-Semitism on campus. , which may also result in more students applying next year. .
“This is the first time I’ve seen anything like this,” Ream said. “The brand has taken a huge hit, but I think it will eventually recover.”
The brand has taken a huge hit, but I think it will eventually recover.
Christopher Ream
President and CEO, Command Education
Harvard University did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In response to Guy’s resignation, Harvard University Provost and Chief Academic Officer Alan Garber will now serve as the university’s interim president, said in a statement“I am confident that we will overcome the challenges we face and build a brighter future for Harvard.”
However, Larkani warned that prospective applicants are increasingly motivated by considerations related to social justice, which will continue to drive their decisions about college. “There’s a very sensitive story going on,” he said.
“In the short term, this is a Harvard and Penn problem, and in the long term, this is a higher education problem.”
