During this year’s college application process, some Urban students were compelled by election results across the country to reconsider their college applications and decisions. For others, the results of the 2024 election reinforced earlier choices about where not to apply.
Politics have played a role in the college process for Urban students for years. “Students and their parents-slash-guardians often have parts of the country that register as not appealing due to legislation in the region,” Co-Director of College Counseling Lauren Gersick said. “When concealed carry gun laws were implemented in Texas, for example, that was a big deal for many students.”
This is not unique to Urban. A student poll taken in October 2024 by the Art and Science Group found that 28% of high schoolers in the U.S. rule out colleges solely due to politics. “My mom bought this thick college book, and I went through with a red pen and just crossed out places I didn’t even wanna look at [due to politics],” Lily Mitchner ’26 said.
In the 2024 presidential election, San Francisco was the most left-leaning city in the U.S., with 80% of voters supporting Democratic candidates, according to the Pew Research Center. Growing up in San Francisco or the greater Bay Area, many Urban students are accustomed to its political landscape, which can lead to the idea of living in other parts of the country feeling like a massive change.
“In San Francisco, you’re definitely surrounded by a very different type of people, so I am definitely used to that. Going somewhere like Louisiana or Florida would be a shock,” Pilar Rivas ’25 said.
While Southern states may seem intimidating to Urban students due to their reputation for being further right on the political spectrum, many would still be comfortable in a state with a wider range of political views than San Francisco. “Most Urban students indicate they don’t want a super homogeneous campus community, by any metric,” Gersick said. “[They want] to feel that they can find community and friends, and also feel physically safe on their college campuses.”
The new conservative majority in the House and Senate will greatly increase the chance of far right policies being put into law, many of which might affect Urban students after high school. One of these policies is reducing the budget of the Department of Education, which, based on President Donald Trump’s previous statements, could reduce funding for student loans by $5.6 billion. This will make obtaining financial aid harder for students and greatly reduce the chances of student loans being forgiven.
The Trump administration is also expected to limit campus diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. President Trump promises to cut federal funding for any school or program teaching critical race theory and has recommended that universities curtail their DEI programs and initiatives. Moreover, Trump plans to clamp down on campus protests. “[We will] deport pro-Hamas radicals and make our college campuses safe and patriotic again,” Trump said at a rally in Montana on Aug. 9, 2024.
All of Trump’s policies will impact Urban students in college, particularly those in red states with governors and legal systems that have historically accepted more conservative policies. “Before the election, I actually had more colleges in mind,” Rivas said. “I think it was both the potential policies and the views of the people in the state that changed my mind.”
One of the most prominent policies influencing college decisions at Urban is access to abortion. Currently, the legality of abortions is up to the states to decide. So far, 12 states have banned it, all of which are red states. As a result, some Urban students avoid these states in their application process due to their abortion laws.“[My decision] definitely has something to do with abortion rights,” Rivas said.
Abortion rights have played a part in college decisions across America. In a study from March 14th, 2024 taken by the Lumina Foundation, 71% of currently enrolled and prospective college students said that states’ reproductive healthcare policies are at least somewhat important in their enrollment decisions.
As Trump’s administration takes power, the future of abortion rights is unclear. Trump mentioned in an interview with Fox News in March 2024 that he would support a national abortion ban. During the election, he expressed a different opinion, deciding that the decision should be up to the states.
The threat of a national abortion ban is still a large concern for many Urban students, making the election a very divisive experience. Consequently, many Urban students are uncomfortable going to a college where students voted against or oppose abortion rights. “I can’t … be around those people that voted to strip my rights away,” Mitchner said.
On the other hand, some students prefer political diversity over the predominantly liberal climate of San Francisco. “Aside from political extremism, political climates shouldn’t really affect my decision. I value political diversity, so I always appreciate new perspectives,” Dreas Marchiel ’26 said. This viewpoint is also popular throughout America. A study published by Echo Data found that almost 80% of enrolled college students believe it is important for all voices to be heard, even if they offend others.
While the 2024 election results have transformed many students’ college searches, the U.S. is home to more than 5,300 colleges, with thousands more available across the globe. “That means there’s pretty much a place for everyone,” Gersick said.