In a recent and highly publicized case, 19-year-old tech prodigy Stanley Zhong and his father, Nan Zhong, have filed federal lawsuits against several top U.S. universities, alleging racial discrimination in their admissions processes. Despite Stanley’s exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements, he faced rejection from 16 out of the 18 institutions he applied to, including prestigious schools such as MIT, Stanford, and UC Berkeley.
Stanley’s academic credentials are nothing short of remarkable. He achieved a near-perfect SAT score of 1590 out of 1600 and maintained a weighted GPA of 4.42 during his high school years. Beyond academics, Stanley demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit by founding Rabbit-Sign, a free electronic signature service, and by initiating a tutoring program for underprivileged children. His prowess in computer science caught the attention of tech giant Google, which first reached out to him when he was just 13-years-old. By fall of 2023, Stanley had accepted a Ph.D.-level position as a software engineer at Google, bypassing the traditional college route.
The widespread rejections from top universities came as a shock to the Zhong family. Stanley was denied admission to institutions including Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell University, Georgia Tech, MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, the University of Illinois, the University of Michigan, the University of Washington, and the University of Wisconsin. He received acceptance letters only from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Maryland.
Believing that these rejections were a result of racial discrimination against highly qualified Asian-American applicants, the Zhongs decided to take legal action. They have filed lawsuits against the University of California system and the University of Washington, alleging that these institutions engaged in racially discriminatory admissions practices. A lawsuit against the University of Michigan is also in progress. The family is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and aims to ensure fair treatment for future Asian-American applicants.
“What we’re trying to get out of this is fair treatment for future Asian applicants going forward, including my other kids and my future grandkids,”
The issue of racial discrimination in college admissions has been a contentious topic in the United States. In June 2023, the Supreme Court outlawed affirmative action in college admissions, ruling that such practices were unconstitutional. However, the Zhongs’ lawsuits focus on enforcing this ruling and holding universities accountable for their admissions practices. They argue that despite the Supreme Court’s decision, Asian-American students continue to face systemic biases in the admissions process.
The University of California has stated that it intends to “vigorously defend” its admissions policies, calling the allegations “meritless.” A spokesperson emphasized that California law has prohibited race-based admissions since 1996 and maintained that the UC system has consistently adhered to this mandate. Similarly, the University of Washington has expressed confidence in its admissions process, acknowledging that while they cannot admit all talented applicants, their procedures are fair and lawful. The University of Michigan has yet to receive the lawsuit but is preparing to review it upon arrival.
This case highlights the ongoing debate over affirmative action and the challenges that Asian-American students may face in the college admissions process. The outcome of these lawsuits could have significant implications for university admissions policies nationwide, potentially leading to more scrutiny and reforms to ensure fairness and equity for all applicants.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case of Stanley Zhong serves as a focal point in the broader discussion about meritocracy, diversity, and equality in higher education. It underscores the need for transparent and equitable admissions practices that recognize and reward individual achievement without bias.
In the meantime, Stanley continues to excel in his role at Google, exemplifying that traditional educational pathways are not the sole routes to professional success. His story serves as both an inspiration and a catalyst for ongoing conversations about fairness in educational opportunities.
Generally, in recent years, the college admissions landscape has grown increasingly competitive, with acceptance rates at top universities declining significantly. Cornell University, for example, has seen its early decision acceptance rate decrease from 21.4% for the Class of 2025 to 17.5% for the Class of 2027.
“College admissions are really tough on us as students as it is.” Junior Eliav Sheati said. “It can impact the rest of my life so I want to make sure I do the best I can.”
This heightened selectivity has had a noticeable impact on high schools across the country.
“Our school just isn’t doing as well as one would expect,” senior Alex Amir said. “Especially because there are so many talented students in our grade, I was really surprised when EDs came out.”
The broader context reveals that this experience is not isolated. Nationwide, the number of students applying to college continues to increase, leading to more competition for limited spots. According to recent data, applications to public colleges grew by 10% between the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 admissions cycles, while applications to private colleges increased by 3% during the same period.
“College admissions this year remind us that while the process is competitive, and sometimes fosters toxic stress and competition.” junior Julian Elihu said. “Our unique talents and perseverance define our futures, not the acceptance letters.”
In light of these challenges, it’s essential for students to approach the college application process with an open mindset. While the admissions landscape may be shifting, the core goal remains the same: finding a college environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally. By broadening their perspective and remaining open to various possibilities, students can navigate the evolving landscape of college admissions with optimism.
