A Princeton researcher often cited by opponents of affirmative action says there isn’t enough evidence to conclude Asian Americans are discriminated against in college admissions, reports the Harvard Crimson (photo by John Jameson).
Thomas Espenshade is often quoted as saying Asian Americans must score 450 points higher on the SAT than African Americans to be admitted to college. He maintains Asian applicants are at a disadvantage, but doesn’t take it any further.
“I stop short of saying that Asian American students are being discriminated against in the college application process because we don’t have sufficient empirical evidence to support that claim,” Espenshade said. He says researchers lack access to essays, letters of recommendation and other application materials to allow a full analysis.
On Friday, a group of Asian Americans filed a formal federal civil rights complaint against Harvard and other Ivy League schools.
