Appeals court clears Harvard of racial bias in admissions

A federal appeals in court upheld a district court decision clearing Harvard University of intentional discrimination against Asian American applicants. The group's 2014 lawsuit alleges that Harvard's admissions officers use a subjective “personal rating” to discriminate against Asian Americans who apply to the school. Harvard denies any discrimination.

A federal appeals in court upheld a district court decision clearing Harvard University of intentional discrimination against Asian American applicants. A two-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston rejected claims from an anti-affirmative action group that accuses the Ivy League university of imposing a “racial penalty” on Asian Americans.

The decision delivers a blow to the group, Students for Fair Admissions, and moves the case a step closer to a possible review by the Supreme Court. The group's 2014 lawsuit alleges that Harvard's admissions officers use a subjective “personal rating” to discriminate against Asian Americans who apply to the school. Harvard denies any discrimination.