Harvard officials have faced criticism for not adequately condemning antisemitism amid a rise in anti-Jewish incidents on campus following Hamas’ attack on Israel.
The university has experienced consequences, including the loss of high-profile donors and a decrease in early admission applications.
Recently released early admission numbers show a significant drop, with only 7,921 high school seniors applying via the Early Action Program by the November 1 deadline. This marks a 17 percent decrease compared to the previous year when 9,553 early applications were submitted.
It’s noteworthy that not all universities grappling with challenges in condemning anti-Jewish hate saw declines in early application numbers. The University of Pennsylvania, for instance, observed an increase of 500 applications compared to the previous year.
Harvard faced criticism in the three weeks between the launch of Hamas’ attacks on October 7 and the November 1 early application deadline. Student groups signed a joint letter labeling Israel an “apartheid regime” and solely blaming it for the conflict.
Although Harvard President Claudine Gay initially addressed the atrocities committed by Hamas, she later revised her statement to distance the institution from the student groups following public backlash.