Affirmative Action Now: A Guide for Students, Families, and Counselors

This timely work addresses the present state of affirmative action in higher education after the landmark decisions of Gratz v. Bollnger and Grutter v. Bollinger. Informative chapters provide an overall understanding of the history of affirmative action in higher education in the United States, pointers to students on writing the crucial application essay, and discussion of the percentage plan states. Other chapters explore financial and student aid and historically black colleges and universities, and offer advice for veterans returning to school. Resource chapters include lists of print and nonprint sources for further research and reading. Accessible, practical and up-to-date, this one-stop guide reassures students and families that higher education remains within their grasp. Affirmative Action Now facilitates understanding of the current practice of affirmative action in undergraduate, graduate, and professional school admissions. Concrete suggestions, including 15 rules to consider when applying for admission, provide a leg-up to the attentive student. In addition, detailed appendices provide an Affirmative Action Application Checklist along with other helpful data. Students, families and counselors will find a goldmine of useful information and practical advice in this accessible guide.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction How did we get to this Point? A Brief History of the usage of Affirmative Action in Higher Education from the Tumultuous Civil Rights Era to Gratz and Grutter in 2003 Gratz v. Bollinger and Grutter v. Bollinger: The Changing Affirmative Action Analysis Immediate Impact and Implementation of Decisions on College and University Admissions Program after Gratz and Grutter What about Affirmative Action in "Percentage Plan" States? The Unsettled Status of Afirmative Action in Higher Education in California, Texas, and Florida after Gratz and Grutter General Advice to Students and Parents in Navigating the Maze Six Steps to Completing the Compelling Application Essay Consideration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Admittedly a "Different World" Financial Aid and Student Aid in the Post Gratz and Grutter Veterans and Affirmative Action Future of Affirmative Action in Higher Education and Admissions Appendix 1: Four Year Degree Granting Colleges and Universities, the Use of Affirmative Action (or Lack Thereof), and Minority Enrollment Data Appendix 2: U.S. Department of Education Final Policy Guidance Regarding Race and National Origin Based Financial Aid Appendix 3: Recommended Resources and Internet Sites

About the Author :
James A. Beckman is Associate Professor, Law and Justice, University of Tampa, Florida. He is the editor of the widely acclaimed Affirmative Action: An Encyclopedia (Greenwood 2004), which reviewers have called inspired and essential.

Review :
[U]seful guide for prospective college students, their families, school counselors, and college and university administrators….The appendix is rich….The application checklist for prospective college students is another bonus….Although the book might seem complex, it contains important information that teens and adults can use. While about one in five U.S. college students is a minority, many schools are unclear about the legalities of promoting inclusiveness. Beckman clarifies issues in the evolving affirmative action in higher education area, from the Bakke Supreme Court decision in 1978 through the landmark Grutter v. Bollinger case in 2003. More than half of the guide consists of a table of the affirmative action policy (if any) and minority enrollment at four-year colleges and universities, Federal guidelines on race as a consideration in financial aid decisions, resources, and a college application checklist.