Student denied admission to University of Michigan, holds protest for appeal of decision
A 17-year-old high school senior has staged a protest after getting rejected from the University of Michigan. Brooke Kimbrough says she always dreamed of attending the school, believes she was rejected due to racial inequity.
“I fervently believe in black equality,” Kimbrough explained in a statement. “I believe that our public university system should provide a pathway for opportunity for underrepresented minority communities. I am appealing my application to the University of Michigan not only for myself, but for other black and minority students who deserve the equal opportunity to go to the best public university in the nation.”
Kimbrough, a senior at University Preparatory Academy in Detroit, says she’s taking a stand on behalf of other minority applicants to the elite public university, located in Ann Arbor, Mich. Less than 5 percent of the student body is African-American; of the state’s total population, more than 14 percent are black, according to the 2012 U.S. Census.
During her speech, Kimbrough announced plans to publicize more rejection letters from minority students until she is granted a public appeal for admission to next fall’s freshman class.
Kimbrough carried a 3.6 GPA and scored a 23 out of 36 on the ACT. The Michigan Daily notes that her scores are below average when compared to the school’s fall 2013 class where students averaged a 3.85 GPA and 29-33 ACT score.
In recent months, the University of Michigan has been the site of a wave of protest from black student activists who claim the school disregards minorities. It is home to the #BBUM hashtag movement, which brought to light the experiences of black students on campus who have demanded equality.
What do you think? Is this a case of discrimination or just a plain rejection from the school for not meeting the requirements?
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