Are you covering the Harvard admissions case? Our expert can help with your coverage.

It’s a lawsuit that has the eyes of academia watching closely – and the decision that follows could transform the admission process for colleges and universities across the country.

Background:

The lawsuit, filed by Students for Fair Admissions, alleges that Harvard's admissions office holds Asian-Americans to a higher standard and uses a subjective "personal rating" to limit their admission, despite having strong academic records.

According to the Associated Press, Harvard said it uses race only as one of many factors to choose from more than 40,000 applicants a year and that race can only help, never hurt, an applicant's chances of being admitted.

The case went to trial last November, almost one year ago, and a decision is expected soon.

According to Patricia Marin, an expert in higher education policy and issues of inclusion and equity for underrepresented students, “that the judge called both sides back to give a second round of closing statements and ask questions, which isn’t typical, proves she recognizes the magnitude of this case to higher education and society.

The court case could have ground-breaking implications that reach far beyond the ivy walls of Harvard and there are a lot of questions still to be asked.

• Does race play any role in the admission process to prestigious schools like Harvard?
• Can it be proven that race plays a factor when accepting applicants?
• How common are ‘personal rating’ tools in the academic community?
• What will it mean for Harvard if found guilty?
• What’s the current process at Harvard, and does it need to change despite the outcome of this lawsuit?

If you are a reporter covering this ongoing story – then let our expert help with your coverage.

Patricia Marin is an Assistant Professor of Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education at Michigan State University. She is also an expert in the areas of higher education policy and issues of inclusion and equity for underrepresented students. Patricia is available to speak with media regarding the ongoing trial involving Harvard – simply click on her icon to arrange an interview.