This decline comes after accidents Anti-SemitismOn campus following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. The applications were due on November 1, before university President Claudine Guy gave her widely mocked testimony about anti-Semitism and free speech at a congressional hearing on December 5.
Harvard received 7,921 applications this year for nonbinding early admission, compared to 9,553 last year.
By contrast, at least two of their Harvard peers reported gains. Rival Yale received 7,856 early applications this year, a 1.4% increase and the second-highest number of early applicants in its history, the university reported. The number of applications to the University of Pennsylvania rose to more than 8,500 from just over 8,000 last year, according to EE. Whitney Soule, Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions.
Fallout from the war between Israel and Hamas: Harvard University President Claudine Jay faces calls to resign amid anti-Semitism row
PennsylvaniaThe school’s president, Liz Magill, resigned Saturday amid backlash over her testimony at a congressional hearing on anti-Semitism, where she, Gay, and MIT leader Sally Kornbluth failed to clearly condemn calls for the genocide of Jews as a violation of school policy.
It’s the first early enrollment period since the Supreme Court’s June decision to ban race-based admissions to higher education, raising questions about the impact on diversity and enrollment at American colleges. Harvard Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, William Fitzsimmons, said he was excited about the 692 students the school accepted early.
Anti-Semitism controversy: University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill resigns after widespread backlash following a congressional hearing
“Their extraordinary talent pool and many contributions to their communities will add immeasurably to Harvard over the next four years and beyond,” he said in a statement.
Following the attack by Hamas, which the United States and the European Union consider a terrorist group, Jewish students at Harvard reported incidents of harassment, and Harvard leaders came under intense criticism from alumni, donors and others for failing to keep them safe.
‘Commitment to free expression extends to views we find outrageous’: Harvard President Claudine Jay amid row over student groups supporting Hamas
The conflict has led to a bitter division between a number of elite schools including Harvard University, leading to an increase in anti-Semitic incidents on American college campuses, as well as a rise in reports of anti-Islamic and anti-Palestinian sentiment.
Incidents of anti-Semitism may be one factor in the decline in admissions, said Bob Sweeney, a retired college counselor at Mamaroneck High School in New York.
“This is probably one of the many safety reasons on campus,” said Sweeney, who has worked as a consultant for nearly 30 years. “There may be other factors in addition to students becoming more realistic about their expectations and chances of admission.”
Oxford University student groups blame Israel for the ongoing war and violence, but do not mention Hamas, and follow their peers at Harvard
Harvard University, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is under investigation by the Department of Education and the House Education Committee following Gay’s testimony.
Harvard University announced in March that it would once again increase its financial aid program.
The creation of a New Launch Scholarship gives students receiving full financial support — those with an annual family income of $85,000 or less — $2,000 in the fall of their junior year to help with costs associated with preparing for life after Harvard.
Students who have received offers of admission from Harvard are not required to accept them, and have until May 1 to make a decision. The deadline to apply for Regular Decision, which is the typical path to admission, is January 1. Colleges want to support students with early applications. Early application at Harvard, Yale, and a few other schools is not mandatory, while other schools like Penn require a commitment.
Updates on the war between Israel and Hamas: The United Nations General Assembly adopts a non-binding resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza
He watches Explainer: Why did the war between Israel and Hamas divide Harvard University?
Harvard University has found itself at the center of controversy following a significant decrease in early applications to Harvard College, with a notable 17% drop from last year. This decline comes amidst allegations of anti-Semitism at the prestigious institution, raising concerns about the impact of such controversies on the university’s reputation and appeal to prospective students. As Harvard continues to grapple with this issue, the decrease in applications serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching implications of discriminatory behavior within academic settings.