FTC Warns Senior Fraud Losses Soared In 2024 — How To Protect Yourself
Seniors have been consistently targeted by a wide range of scams.
New data from the Federal Trade Commission show that reported financial fraud losses among older Americans increased sharply in 2024, totaling billions of dollars.
A wide range of scams has consistently targeted seniors, the FTC revealed in a report to Congress. In its annual report to the Senate and House Judiciary committees, the FTC said that “consumers reported losing about $12.8 billion to fraud in 2024” and that older adults accounted for a significant share of those losses, including large individual losses. Older consumers often reported the largest individual dollar losses. People age 80 and older reported a median loss of about $1,600 in 2024, higher than for younger groups.
Older adults most frequently reported losses to investment scams, business impostors, government impersonators, and romance scams, and social media was a common method of initial contact for investment scams, the FTC said. However, there are steps consumers can take to avoid becoming victims of fraud.
Federal and consumer advocacy resources offer clear guidance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and FTC jointly advise consumers on safe financial practices.
Don’t wire money. Wiring money is like sending cash. Once you send it, you usually can’t get it back.
Don’t pay with gift cards, because gift cards give scammers instant control of the money.
Don’t pay with cryptocurrency, as the currency lacks legal protections and is difficult to reverse.
Research all potential business entities or business partners.
“Report fraud to the FTC…at ReportFraud.ftc.gov,” they wrote, noting information helps protect the broader community from scams and bad business practices.
Furthermore, independent organizations also emphasize awareness and education. The Better Business Bureau advised that a key step in preventing scams is to become familiar with common scams targeting older adults and to encourage older adults to ignore suspicious calls or messages.
Additional support is available through the AARP Fraud Watch Network, which provides free helpline services to help spot and avoid scams. AARP’s online resource encourages people to seek guidance when they see signs of fraud and offers “tips on how to spot a scam,” as well as steps to take after detecting one.
Tariffs are Pricing Americans Out of Renovating, Survey Finds
The tariffs, either announced, enacted, or expected, have already had an impact on the homebuilding and renovation industry.
Tariffs are pricing Americans out of renovating, survey finds
Throughout 2025, many industries have seen price increases in goods due to changes in tariffs. Often, these price increases are passed on to consumers, ultimately affecting the choices they make in their daily lives. In partnership with Pollfish, Eagle Woodworking conducted a survey of 1,000 U.S. homeowners on Nov. 18 to determine how tariffs are affecting their renovation decisions.
Survey results show that many Americans are delaying their renovations until a more favorable time, while others are forgoing them altogether amid rising prices. Let’s take a look at the survey results to see where the economic tensions lie and how Americans are pulling back their renovation plans.
Key Takeaways
Remodeling costs are on the rise. Over half of homeowners said tariffs increased their remodeling costs.
Homeowners are hesitating to plan renovations due to costs. Nearly 70% of homeowners report concern that trade policies will make home projects unaffordable.
Secondhand products are gaining popularity. Secondhand or upcycled goods are favored by 24% of homeowners.
What Renovations Are Americans Planning
Rather than taking on large renovation projects, homeowners are trending toward buying new furniture and appliances, but even these purchases are being put on hold. Among those planning a remodel, 39% are focused on remodeling and decorating a bathroom, followed closely by a third (33%) who plan to remodel or redecorate their kitchen.
Twenty-four percent said they have other remodeling or decorating plans. Interestingly, almost a quarter (22%) said they weren’t planning any renovations this year, and only 12% planned to add an extension.
Eagle Woodworking
How Tariffs Have Disrupted Renovation Plans
The tariffs, either announced, enacted, or expected, have already had an impact on the homebuilding and renovation industry. In fact, over half (52%) of survey respondents said that tariffs have increased costs for their projects. As a result, 30% paused their projects in hopes that prices would level out or come down in the future.
However, according to the latest HMI survey, 37% of builders reported cutting prices in June, which is good news for consumers. But despite these reported price cuts, between 23% and 26% of respondents say they’re turning towards cheaper or secondhand goods to keep renovation costs down.
Eagle Woodworking
What Tariffs Are Costing Homeowners
Part of the issue is the uncertainty over which tariffs will be enacted and exactly what prices will be affected. This level of unpredictability in material costs can cause homeowners to hesitate to start a renovation project.
According to the survey, 84% are aware that tariffs will negatively impact remodeling costs, and 67% are concerned that these trade policies will price them out of their desired renovations. Cost increases for home renovation projects among those surveyed range from less than $500 to over $10,000, with 80% reporting that tariffs have increased their quotes and 40% reporting cost increases of more than $1,000.
Eagle Woodworking
Impact on Homeowner Decision Making
More homeowners are staying in their homes longer than in the past, averaging 11.9 years in their homes compared with 6.5 years two decades ago, according to Redfin. Many older homeowners are choosing to age in place rather than downsize or move into an assisted living facility.
This tendency to stay put means homeowners will need to focus on upkeep and remodeling as is necessary to maintain the home long-term. With 27% of homeowners saying that tariffs have significantly influenced their decisions, some updates and remodeling may be put on the back burner, which could lead to a need for more extensive work down the road.
The survey found that 62% of homeowners say tariffs have significantly or negatively influenced their remodeling or decorating decisions. Around a fifth of homeowners were avoiding a kitchen remodel or a bathroom remodel altogether (21% and 20%, respectively). If the tariffs were lifted, some of these homeowners would no longer avoid remodeling these spaces, which could make things more comfortable for those staying in their homes for the long haul.
Eagle Woodworking
What Happens If Tariffs Are Lifted
While you can’t predict the future, let’s imagine that you wake up tomorrow and the tariffs are lifted. In this scenario, 40% of homeowners say they would expand or speed up their remodeling plans. But there’s still some uncertainty. Over a quarter (27%) of homeowners say they’re unsure. These numbers allow room for consumer behavior to shift in response to future economic policies.
Eagle Woodworking
Get Creative With Your Renovation Strategy
While Americans are eager to invest in their homes to make them more comfortable and functional, many are waiting for costs to come down before they embark on remodeling and redecorating projects. It can be easy to hear about economic policies without always seeing their real-world impact, but tariffs have shown how these policies shape everyday Americans’ decisions. Tariffs aren’t just a supply chain issue, something for large companies and suppliers to worry about; they’re directly responsible for reshaping homeownership and renovation behavior in 2025.
So, what can you do to help your clients navigate the uncertainty surrounding tariffs? Rethinking the scope of the project and recommending smaller upgrades or remodels can help clients refresh their home without being as vulnerable to price hikes and uncertainty. Focusing on smaller projects, such as replacing cabinet doors and hardware or upgrading existing drawers to new dovetail drawers and specialty drawers, can upgrade the space without the cost of a full renovation.
Students Want Schools To Incorporate AI In Learning But Have Some Fears
They recommended that schools create policies around generative AI and incorporate it into their everyday learning while being aware of the challenges that come with it.
As more students utilize artificial intelligence (AI) inside and outside the classroom, they are outpacing schools in the adoption of generative AI tools for learning, according to a new survey by Project Tomorrow, a national nonprofit that researches technology and innovations in education.
The report, published Oct. 23, was paired with an online panel discussion featuring Robin Lake, director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education, and a group of high school students who shared their perspectives on generative AI. They recommended that schools create policies around generative AI and incorporate it into their everyday learning while being aware of the challenges that come with it.
Schools have to decide whether to take the leap and invest in these tools or risk missing opportunities to improve instruction, said Lake.
“Whether we like it or not, AI is our future, and our young people will be inheriting it,” she said. “So we need to act. The question is really whether our education systems will prepare them to shape that future, or be shaped by it — that’s why we think it’s so important that we look at the data carefully and think very intentionally about how we need to make” next steps.
For 22 years, Project Tomorrow has published its Speak Up National Report about technology in education. This year’s survey polled 29,461 middle and high school students, 5,025 parents, 7,127 teachers, and 3,495 administrators about AI.
Here, The 74 shares three takeaways from the report and briefing, which included student panelists Ian Son, a senior at Redondo Union High School in California; Neha Palla, a senior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Kentucky; and Arnav Hingorani, a junior at Desert Mountain High School in Arizona.
Students think generative AI tools should play a central role in their everyday learning
Today’s students already consider AI part of their education, said Julie Evans, Project Tomorrow’s CEO and moderator of the panel.
“They don’t see it as a bystander, as [something] on the side,” she said. “This isn’t like a project we’re going to do with AI today, but you’re not allowed to use it for other things. The students actually see it as part of their entire learning process. We need to catch up and think about what makes sense.”
The report found that 68% of students are familiar with different types of generative AI tools. Two-thirds of middle schoolers and 73% of high schoolers said they should have access to these tools in school, while 61% of parents and 58% of teachers agreed.
Palla said she has used generative AI this year to help her understand linear algebra.
“Having [Google] Gemini or ChatGPT provide explanations behind those linear concepts is really useful because a lot of those conceptual explanations are not present whenever you do a Google search,” she said.
The top ways students want to use generative AI for school include brainstorming ideas about assignments, analyzing notes, getting feedback on writing, accessing tutoring outside of school, and summarizing text, according to the report.
About two-thirds of students said AI use in the classroom exposes them to new ideas. Other benefits cited include preparing students for college and future careers, making learning more efficient, and saving time.
“For example, if I’m in a physics class and I just really don’t understand a concept, I could talk to ChatGPT,” Son said. “I could talk basically anything through generative AI, because it could imitate and it could role-play anyone. So just using it in those different ways has just been super helpful, because it’s almost like talking to any type of expert at any time during the day.”
Students are aware of concerns about incorporating AI in the classroom
The report found that when using AI at school, students are most concerned about misinformation, people using it to harm others, false accusations of cheating, and data privacy.
“If I’m at school and I’m pulling out ChatGPT, for example, I’m automatically going to be accused of cheating or trying to cheat around my work or being lazy,” Son said. “But I think a lot of the time when I’m using AI, I’m using it to enhance my learning. Most of us aren’t trying to cheat, but we’re actually trying to use AI to help us.”
More than 40% of high school students and 80% of parents said the possibility of false cheating accusations was a serious concern for them, according to the survey. Nearly 90% of teachers are worried about their students cheating when using AI.
Hingorani said that when he tries to use AI for school, he’s cautious about the misinterpretations the tools can give when producing information.
“AI will make up data. It’ll make up a math problem and how to do it,” he said. “I think [when] using AI all the time and seeing how it works, you start to get an idea of the right way to use artificial intelligence to enhance your learning rather than just getting an answer or perhaps even getting a wrong answer.”
One of Palla’s top concerns is overusing generative AI while doing schoolwork and losing key skills in the process.
“I’m scared that I’ll rely more on AI than my own thinking,” she said. “I feel like critical thinking is something that AI could replace. I feel like every single time I encounter a problem, I’ll just automatically go to AI and see if they have an answer, rather than thinking for myself.”
Schools are lagging with implementation and guidelines
Among schools that have adopted systemic AI use, most use it only for small, isolated tasks instead of expanding it to classroom activities or lessons, according to a July 2025 CRPE report.
“Schools are focusing really narrowly on plagiarism detection or saving teachers a few minutes of grading time,” Lake said. “Not to diminish the importance of that, but what we’re seeing as a missed opportunity is that they’re not able to focus on the possibilities for using AI to truly transform learning.”
Project Tomorrow’s report found that teachers’ lack of familiarity with generative AI causes them to avoid using the tools in class. More than half of teachers said they haven’t had any discussions with their students about AI, and only 13% are very confident in using the tools for their own productivity or to advance student learning.
Hingorani said that in his school district, Scottsdale United, teachers don’t know how to address questions about AI because administrators and policymakers haven’t created guidelines around its use.
“So many teachers are like, ‘I don’t know what the current policy is,’” he said. “I think that’s the fundamental issue a lot of districts are facing right now.”
Only 15% of teachers in the report said their school districts provide enough professional development for effective use of AI in the classroom. About 61% of students were unsure whether their school has AI policies.
“I think teachers are automatically compelled to have a stigma toward it,” Palla said. “I think providing resources to allow teachers to learn about it will make them more willing to integrate those tools into a classroom.”
Shoppers Turn To AI To Snag Deals This Holiday Season
Rising costs and stagnant wages push consumers toward AI assistants.
Artificial intelligence is aiding Americans in their holiday shopping this season. Shoppers are using AI tools for everything from personalized gift suggestions to direct purchases and price tracking.
As prices rise and wages stagnate, consumers face tight budgets. This is leading to an increased use of AI chatbots and assistants to help them find deals and make purchases. Half of U.S. adults surveyed as part of The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research say it is harder than usual to afford holiday presents this year. Thus, consumers are using chatbot tools to guide their shopping decisions, leading major retailers like Walmart and Target to partner with AI platforms such as ChatGPT to allow customers to shop directly on the platform.
Salesforce projects that AI will influence about $263 billion in global holiday sales this year. The figure represents a significant portion of online orders as AI tools help consumers discover products, compare prices, and make buying decisions more efficiently.
AI-powered tools now offer features beyond simple search. Some assistants provide occasion-based gift suggestions and price comparisons tailored to a user’s inputs, while newer systems aim to streamline checkout processes without leaving the chat interface. This integration is the first wave of “agentic commerce,” in which AI can actively mediate transactions rather than just assist with research.
Assistance is needed, as Americans are struggling to pay for necessities. Consequently, the financial burden of holiday shopping is difficult to manage.
“The poll found that when consumers do shop, about half of Americans are finding the lowest price more than they can normally afford. About 4 in 10 are dipping into their savings more than at other times.”
The rise of AI in retail is not limited to large chains. Independent AI shopping platforms and voice-enabled systems are emerging that help users refine recommendations through conversational queries and memory of prior interactions.
As shoppers adapt to AI-assisted discovery and purchasing, the holiday season may mark a turning point in AI’s usefulness to the greater population.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Kicks Off New Season With Marketing Revamp Under Alicia Graf Mack
Mack's vision for the future is lofty, plans to engage contemporary audiences include integrating mainstream musicians moves forward.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrated its opening season Dec. 3. Leading the charge was the newly appointed artistic director, Alicia Graf Mack.
Graf Mack was named artistic director in 2025, becoming only the fourth person to lead the company since its founding in 1958 by choreographer Alvin Ailey. Her appointment followed the tenure of Robert Battle and came after years of direct involvement with the organization as both a dancer and educator. Graf Mack previously performed with the company and later served as dean and director of the Juilliard School’s Dance Division before returning to Ailey in a leadership role. In an interview with Inc, Mack framed her leadership as both personal and mission-driven.
“Working here is more than a job. It is part of who I am and what I believe in. So, I am not just here to fulfill my hours. I am all-in,” she said.
As a leader and former pupil who studied under the last two directors, Judith Jamison and Battle, she honors the founding philosophy while adapting to contemporary audiences and platforms.
“Dance came from the people and should always be delivered back to the people,” Ailey told the outlet.
Her vision for the future is lofty; plans to engage contemporary audiences include integrating mainstream musicians as she moves forward.
“We have to create collaborations across industries, like music collaborations, to reach more people too,” she said, describing how the organization plans to engage audiences beyond traditional concert settings.
Graf Mack’s appointment signals a new phase, focused on strategic growth rather than reinvention. The company plans to emphasize digital outreach, partnerships, and storytelling that reinforce the Ailey brand while remaining faithful to its cultural roots.
Founded in New York City, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has long been recognized for centering Black cultural expression within modern dance. The company has toured internationally as an ambassador of American art. Graf Mack’s return to the company places that legacy in the hands of a leader shaped by both its past and its evolving future.
The Weeknd Inks $1B Catalog Partnership, Maintaining Singer’s Creative Control Over Music
The partnership will ensure The Weeknd keeps creative control over his art while still capitalizing on the assets.
The Weeknd has announced a new billion-dollar deal that solidifies his control of his artistic legacy.
The “Blinding Lights” singer has signed a catalog partnership with Lyric Capitol Group. The business venture will allow Lyric to invest in his extensive music catalog while The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, and his team maintain creative control. According to Variety, The Weeknd will also be a shareholder and part-owner in the business endeavor.
The Weeknd forged the deal by ensuring he maintains creative control over his music. Instead of simply selling off his catalog, he and Lyric created a new model where he keeps his publishing rights and masters. Lyric described the development of their unique deal with The Weeknd as it paves the way for other artists to scale their music without sacrificing artistic integrity.
“From the beginning of the meeting, it was clear to all at Lyric that Abel would not sell his catalog. He wanted to be more innovative and creative in the way we established a partnership. To that end, through this venture, we constructed and launched a new business model with Abel and his iconic catalog whereby Abel and his team have the freedom to execute their creative vision with the entirety of his rights, both publishing and masters. This unique catalog deal sets a new standard for artist equity and control.”
Lyric Capital invests in music royalties, with the deal estimating to have a lofty payout in royalty multiples. Estimates show that the assets’ value totaled around $1 billion, based on an 18.2 multiple of its $55 million in net label and net publisher share.
However, the deal only includes music by The Weeknd through 2025, and will not hold for future releases. His publishing catalog remains administered by Universal Music Publishing Group.
Despite the stipulations, the partnership has reportedly become one of the biggest deals for a single artist’s catalog. The two parties hope to revolutionize the music industry, while breaking ground on new deals that prioritize artists in these conversations.
“I couldn’t be more excited about what Lyric, Abel, and team have created together,” said Ross Cameron, Lyric founding/co-managing partner. “From our first meeting, it was clear to me that we were sitting around the table with individuals that were going to change the way an artist thinks about his assets, music, and legacy. The collaboration resulted in a first-of-its-kind partnership between an artist and Lyric, and we are beyond thrilled about this new venture.”
‘Sinners’ Honored With Best Film And Seven Other Wins By African American Film Critics Association
The Ryan Coogler-directed film received 8 awards by the film critics association.
Sinners is this year’s best film, according to the African American Film Critics Association, which also bestowed seven other honors on the film.
The organization named the Ryan Coogler-directed horror film as its movie of the year. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film swept the nominations by the AAFCA, also taking home best ensemble.
It led the pack of other major films this award season, followed closely by One Battle After Another and Hedda. Other films featuring a Black lead that made the list include Wicked For Good, F1, and One Of Them Days.
However, Sinners remained at the forefront of major AAFCA categories. Coogler earned the Best Director and Best Writing nods. The film’s star, Michael B. Jordan, also received the Best Actor recognition, with co-star Miles Canton getting the Emerging Face (Actor) award.
In other nods for the Sinners cast, Wunmi Mosaku won Best Supporting Actress. The film’s composer, Ludwig Goransson, also received the accolade for Best Music.
The AAFCA awards films for their notable and unique storytelling, especially movies focused on the Black experience. The organization also recognized the Tessa Thompson-led film Hedda, giving the star the Best Actress nod for her work.
“The cinematic voices recognized this year remind us of the power of film to challenge, inspire, and unite,” AAFCA President and Co-Founder Gil Robertson said in a statement. “From bold new visions to unforgettable performances, these winners represent storytellers who are pushing the art form forward while speaking to the moment we are living in. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and the impact their work continues to have on audiences worldwide.”
Sinners has already emerged a major contender this awards season, as the blockbuster hit had several IMAX runs along with rave reviews from critics. As award ceremonies get underway, the film hopes to make history, especially with its Black director and predominantly Black cast.
While the announcement of the awardees has already been made, the AAFCA will honor the winners will gather at its 17th annual Awards ceremony. The event will take place Feb. 8.
Hot 97 Hangs Up ‘Ebro in the Morning,’ As Host Claims Progressive Views Led To Cancellation
The show has been on air since 2012.
Hot 97 radio fans must say goodbye to one of its staple radio shows.
Billboardconfirmed the station has signed off on Ebro In The Morning. Hosted by Ebro Darden, the morning show had its final airing Dec. 12, ending a 13-year run on the New York-based station.
Funkmaster Flex is taking Ebro’s morning slot.
Darden and his co-hosts, Laura Stylez and Peter Rosenberg, all issued statements regarding the cancellation that shocked many listeners. Ebro made a brief comment to social media about the show’s axing, essentially telling fans to stay tuned.
Additional reps for Rosenberg doubled-down on the confirmed cancellation. However, the trio of co-hosts still plans to keep their fanbase fed with new content in the works. Stylez shared a more emotional tribute to her time on the show, joining her male counterparts a year after its initial debut, hinting at their continued work together.
“We had the best time… the most beautiful listeners and got to work with legends I love,” she wrote to IG. “I’m so proud of the work we did together… I lived so many of my dreams at Hot97 and got to work with my best friends! ….and best friends don’t let go… trust me, @oldmanebro @rosenbergradio and I have plans and more coming next year!”
As for why the show got axed, Ebro has his own theories about how his progressive views impacted the decision. The media personality spoke about how his “anti-Netanyahu” stances, among other left-leaning opinions, put the show on ice.
Ebro theorizes about why his show, 'Ebro in the Morning', was canceled after 13 years:
"They need my sh*t talking anti-Netanyahu, anti-government, progressive sh*t out the way."
“You look around at all the major media outlets… they all gotta fold up because they’re all trying to renew their deals and their licenses,” he began, as reported byComplex.
“Bro’s a casino owner,” Ebro added, referring to the man in charge of the media company. “You know the three licenses they got in NY for the casino? The guy that owns the s**t owns one of the casino licenses. He gotta raise half a billion dollars. They need my s**t talking, anti-Netanyahu, anti-government, progressive s**t out of the way, bro. They need me out of the way.”
Ebro alleged that the station’s ownership cares more about getting a profit than their listenership, hence why they would allow the popular program to go off the air so abruptly.
“They are trying to get to these bags that these VCs got and raise some capital,” Ebro continued. “They don’t give a f**k about hip hop or black music or black community…They give a f**k about access, they give a f**k about going with their little nerdy friends to the concerts because that helps them raise money. They’ve been trying to get to me for years, bro.”
Hot 97 has yet to clarify why they chose to strip the program. However, syndication distributor Super Radio Networks has plans to keep Ebro on the airwaves.
“While the distribution of ‘Ebro in the Morning’ in its current form is ending, Superadio remains fully committed to the Ebro brand,” a spokesperson for Super Radio Networks said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to bring Ebro’s voice and talent to the masses across new platforms, which we’ll be sharing more about very soon.”
Karen Bass, L.A.’s First Black-Woman Mayor, Announces Re-election Bid
Bass opened the 2026 mayoral contest with a rally in downtown Los Angeles.
On Dec. 13, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass officially launched her campaign for re-election. Bass opened the 2026 mayoral contest with a rally in downtown Los Angeles.
The first Black-woman mayor outlined goals for affordability, safety, and continued opposition to federal policy. Her announcement came at the Trade-Technical College Culinary Arts event space, surrounded by supporters that included city officials and allied legislators.
The mayor’s current platform addresses the residents who were affected by the wildfires that swept the Palisades, vowing support. She also acknowledges the rising cost of living in Los Angeles. In an X post Bass, addressed challenges including the city’s housing affordability and homelessness crises, recovery from this year’s Palisades wildfires, and federal immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles. Bass said the administration’s efforts on these issues would continue if she wins another term.
“From Northridge to Echo Park, this campaign is about bringing every single part of this city and this region together so that we can solve homelessness, reduce crime. and make Los Angeles more affordable for all.”
From Northridge to Echo Park, this campaign is about bringing every single part of this city and this region together so that we can solve homelessness, reduce crime and make Los Angeles more affordable for all.#KarenBassForMayorpic.twitter.com/ryCo3I8k8j
Bass, 72, first took office in 2022, becoming Los Angeles’s first woman mayor and the second Black person to hold the city’s top post.
Bass currently faces three opponents. Former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner has criticized her record on issues like disaster response. Beutner, a former supporter of Bass, believes the city needs to move in a different direction, The Hill reported.
“I voted for Karen Bass last time. We had hopes, but now even she admits we need a citywide turnaround. I agree, Los Angeles needs change. This isn’t an ordinary time, and I’m not an ordinary candidate,” Beutner said in a video posted to YouTube.
Also running are Rae Huang, a housing advocacy executive, and Asaad Alnajjar, a longtime city employee and neighborhood council member.
The mayoral election is scheduled for June 2, 2026. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held Nov. 3, 2026.
Bass’s campaign launch comes as Los Angeles prepares to host global events, including the 2028 Olympics and FIFA World Cup, milestones that supporters and critics alike say will test the city’s planning and governance.
White House Attacks College Essays About Race In Latest DEI Crackdown
Personal statements highlighting race have become another issue in the DEI crackdown within college admissions.
The White House has issued another update in its crackdown of DEI in higher education.
The Trump Administration is looking beyond college departments as it tries to turn away from diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Now, the federal government is looking at college essays used during admissions as potential unlawful, as reported by the Boston Globe.
While many students have used personal essays to describe their academic journeys thus far, the government now deems their writings including race aligned with now-banned DEI practices. Many colleges require these personal statements to show beyond a student’s writing ability, but also highlight a moment where they overcame adversity, proving how they exemplify and contribute to the school’s values.
As some diverse applicants describe their personal obstacles as students of color, the proposed “dog whistle” can now seem part of a ” discriminatory” admissions process. Since the reversal of affirmative action, schools cannot consider identity factors such as race, ethnicity or national origin.
“A lot of students might read [a community prompt] and think, Oh, I’m in the band, I’m the editor of the paper, and I’m going to write about an activity,” said Jayson Weingarten, a senior admissions consultant, before adding how some “read between the lines of what admissions officers are asking — and they’re going to talk about their race, culture, ethnicity, heritage, socioeconomic status, anything like that.“
However, given how students’ livelihoods within and beyond academia become shaped by these experiences, many have wondered what will come of the admissions processes as they foster schools’ communities. With this, the mentioning of these identity markers in college essays has sparked legal issues. The White House now looks at these expressions of students’ voice as another way to bypass the removal of affirmative action.
In a post-affirmative action world, the number of Black and Brown students across many elite universities has seen a decline. An analysis by the Associated Pressalso confirmed that 20 selective colleges witnessed a significant drop in Black freshman enrollment since the 2023 ruling.
However, some elite schools remain committed to subtly finding students from unique backgrounds through these personal statements, although its future may be in jeopardy. Weingartern finds the continued use of these prompts as a way to still provide pathways for diversity.
“It’s a quiet signal, but it’s an unmistakable act of resistance.”
