For years, students of minority backgrounds continue to struggle to gain access to institutions of higher education, particularly at the graduate and professional levels.

Background

Research suggests that the minority student tends to be a First-generation student to attend college in their families.

Research also suggests that First-generation students begin college:

• Less academically prepared

• Report having lower educational expectations than their peers

• Apply and attend less selective colleges that are closer to home

• Are likely to receive less support from their families for attending college.

Latinx students are more likely than their peers to be first-generation, accounting for more than one-third of these students. Given the low attainment rates for this group, the Latinx population is underrepresented in graduate school and are less likely to pursue a doctoral degree.

Research suggests that in 2018, there were 533,974 students enrolled in graduate level studies for the first time. Of these 50,275 were African Americans. Thus, African Americans were 9.4% of all first-time enrollees in graduate programs.

In 2019, about 62% of law students were White, roughly in line with the overall American population. However, ethnic minorities except Asian-Americans were underrepresented. The law student population last year was: 12.7% Hispanic, 7.8% African American and 6.3% Asian, with the number describing themselves as biracial or multiracial steadily increasing to nearly 4%.

Association of American Medical Colleges reports of those that enrolled in a Medical School program from 2018-2019:

• 54.6% were White

• 21.6% were Asian

• African Americans (6.2%) and Hispanic/Latinos (5.3%)