Is Wharton Lacking Diversity?

Wharton is under the scope for inconsistencies in admissions data in their two most recent incoming classes.

What’s all the hubbub? Admissions reporting frameworks are changing. The University of Pennsylvania isn’t a lone wolf – Harvard also changed its methods for reporting racial breakdowns this year after the United States Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in June 2023, where they deemed race-conscious admissions practices unconstitutional.

DIFFERENCES IN ADMISSIONS REPORTING

Wharton’s Class of 2027 had 68% students of color, whereas their Class of 2028 reported just 55% — and students from underrepresented groups went from 31% for the Class of 2027 to just 22% for the Class of 2028.

What it really came down to was the differences in admissions data in the two graduating classes.

For one, the Class of 2028 collected numbers for undergraduates pursuing a single degree, while the Class of 2027 data did not. Their Class of 2028 data included non-U.S. students, whereas the Class of 2027 did not.

Wharton’s Class of 2028 remains, and they’re redirecting inquiring audiences to their overall stats for their university-wide Class of 2028.

SHARING LESS DATA

Moving forward, the school states it will still share annual data but significantly less than it has in previous years.

“Our class continues to represent similar proportions of students who are first generation to college, Pell-eligible, and students of color, though the proportion of students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds has decreased 2% points,” Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule wrote in a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian.

Next Page: Texas boosts financial aid at its universities.

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