Which statement best describes the Bakke decision's stance on race in admissions?

• A. Race must be the sole determinant of admission.
• B. Quotas are constitutional with oversight.
• C. Race can be considered only in narrow ways.
• D. Race can be a factor among others, but quotas are unconstitutional.

Answer: (D)

The essential idea is that race in admissions can be a factor among many in evaluating applicants, but fixed racial quotas are unconstitutional. In Bakke, the court struck down a program that set aside a specific number of seats for minority students because it relied on race as the defining criterion for admission. At the same time, the court said race could be considered as one element of a holistic review to foster diversity, as long as it does not amount to a rigid quota. So the best description is that race may be a factor among others, but quotas are not allowed.