U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) has introduced legislation to require colleges and universities to disclose whether they use personality trait tests in admission decisions after the U.S. Supreme Court said colleges cannot use race as a factor in admissions.
Ms. Steel, who introduced the Helping Applicants Receive Valid and Reasonable Decisions (HARVARD) Act on June 30, said some colleges and universities still utilize personality tests as a means of racial discrimination.
The legislator said she introduced the bill to ensure racial prejudice does not play a factor in the admissions process.
“I am introducing the HARVARD Act to shine a light on this process and ensure that all students and their families are fully aware of which schools are using these tests, the metrics used, and the rationale for these personality traits,” Ms. Steel said. “Students deserve the right to pursue their full potential without fear of prejudice based on the color of their skin.”
Still citing the recent Supreme Court ruling, Ms. Steel’s statement said records showed that Asian-American applicants were routinely rated lower by Harvard University than others “on traits like ‘positive personality,’ likability, courage, kindness, and being ‘widely respected.’”
Though Asian-American applicants often had higher test scores and grades, their personality ratings often brought down overall admissions scores and lowered their chances of admission, according to Ms. Steel.
If passed, the HARVARD Act would require colleges that receive federal funds to advertise their use of personality tests on application and admission materials.
The bill would also require schools to issue a statement informing applicants of the use of personality traits in making admissions decisions, their rationale for use of such tests, a description of the process under which personality traits are considered, and standards and criteria used for rating personality traits, according to Ms. Steel’s office.
“I immigrated to this country from Korea when I was 19 years old to pursue an education,” she said. “I am living my American Dream because, in this country, your actions determine your success—not your race and ethnicity. For 40 years, American colleges and universities have stacked the deck against Asian Americans in the name of diversity ... today’s victory marks a new chapter in the fight for equality in education.”