Harvard Class of 2029 Shows Racial Shift

Harvard’s incoming Class of 2029 shows 11.5% of freshmen identifying as Black, 11% as Hispanic and 41% as Asian, down from 14% Black and 16% Hispanic and up from 37% Asian in the Class of 2028 (Black share was 18% in 2023). Observers link the changes to the 2023 Supreme Court ban on race-conscious admissions and ongoing litigation, including Students for Fair Admissions. The university ended its five-year test-optional policy and reinstated SAT/ACT requirements; applications fell from 54,008 to 47,893, the acceptance rate rose to 4.18%, and yield remained 83.6%, with Harvard saying the return to testing likely deterred some applicants. International enrollment declined to about 15%. Harvard did not publish figures for white or multiracial students, said 8% of the class declined to report race, and it adjusted how it calculates racial proportions, changes that have increased federal scrutiny and concern from advocates. Experts warn the shifts could reduce representation of underrepresented groups at elite institutions amid political pressure and financial strains facing Harvard.