Harvard University reported a slump in applications for this year after an antisemitism scandal and plagiarism debacle, which resulted in the ouster of the president, roiled the campus.
For the class of 2028, Harvard received 54,008 applicants, representing a 5 percent decrease from the 56,937 who sent in applications the year before. The 3.59 percent acceptance rate was the highest in four years for the school, according to the Harvard Crimson. The drop in prospective students comes on the heels of President Claudine Gay’s removal following mounting pressure from Jewish donors and students. Gay received intense condemnation for her alleged mismanagement of exploding antisemitism at Harvard following Hamas’s invasion of Israel on October 7.
The drama snowballed after over 30 Harvard University student organizations issued a joint letter holding Israel “entirely responsible” for the brutal violence perpetrated by the terrorists. Prominent alumni such as businessman Bill Ackman and others denounced the students’ conduct as well as the school’s refusal to strongly condemn it. Billionaire Len Blavatnik, who did not attend Harvard, also paused donations. He had contributed more than $270 million to Harvard through his family foundation, Bloomberg reported.
Also possibly playing into the fewer applications was the Supreme Court decision that struck down affirmative action, which critics called racial discrimination, in college admissions. However, it was later revealed that Harvard had found a quasi-loophole to factor diversity into student recruiting. The prompt for Harvard’s required admissions essays for fall 2024 asked, “Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?”
While Harvard attracted less interest this year from college-bound kids, Dartmouth and Yale experienced record application rates. Both Ivy League schools saw a 10 percent surge in applications from last year, according to the New York Times. Columbia University, which also received backlash for its rampant antisemitism but wasn’t as much of a spotlight for congressional scrutiny as Harvard, had an approximately 5 percent increase in their applicant pool.
Despite the tumultuous year, Harvard didn’t make much ado about the decline, not acknowledging any influencing factors.
“Beyond another strong applicant pool, we are delighted by the stunning array of talents and lived experiences the Class of 2028 will bring with them from throughout the United States and around the world,” William R. Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid, said in a statement.