University Of Texas Sued For Race As A Factor In Admission

On August 5, 2012 The Daily Texan released an article where an applicant for the University of Texas at Austin was denied admission even though she claims she is just as qualified as those of other ethnicities who were admitted. The article titled “Supremecourt case puts spotlight on UT admissions policy” presents the argument of Abigail Fisher v. University of Texas when she was denied admission. Although Fisher was not in the top ten percent of her class she still claims that her Caucasian ethnicity hindered her admission.

 Michael Williams, a Senior African American student studying sociology and applied learning and development, was in the top ten percent of his high school graduating class. During his first year at UT someone told Williams that he would not be at UT if it were not for the top 10 percent rule implying that because he is African American he would have not been admitted. Williams’ comments, “I would hope I would be admitted even if I was not in top ten percent.” The debate on this issue will be presented in the Supreme Court in October.  

Further into the article Williams’ states, “although race is not the only factor in admissions, it is important . . . this is a case that will affect admissions and a lot of schools of higher education . . . it’s not just going to change UT, it’s going to change a nation. I don’t know if students know that.”

Others interviewed for this article debate whether the University of Texas at Austin uses race as a factor in admissions. Although I do not believe that UT would accept or deny a student solely based on race I believe that it does factor in slightly due to the requirement for diversity among higher education.

In order to have the best chance of admission, regardless of top ten percent rule, students need to focus on building their resume, doing extracurricular activities, and just becoming the best overall student you can be.