Hackers Target NYU, Publish Admissions Data by Race

At 10:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, hackers breached New York University's website, breaching systems that display the university's web presence and redirecting traffic to a webpage created by the attackers. The university's IT team responded immediately, and law enforcement was notified. The malicious redirection was brought to a halt, the webpage established by the attackers was taken down, and NYU's website is once again online and available.

The hackers' data revealed some alarming information about the university's admissions practices. On the hacked page, visitors were redirected to a webpage that showed the average SAT test scores, ACT scores, and Grade Point Averages (GPAs) of admitted students in 2024—by race. Additionally, the page linked to the names, test scores, majors, and zip codes of more than three million applicants, as well as "information related to family members and financial aid dating back to at least 1989."

The hackers' data revealed some striking disparities in admissions statistics by race. The average SAT scores for admitted students were: Asians, 1,485.86; whites, 1,428.23; Hispanics, 1,355.10; and blacks, 1,289.87. This reveals a nearly 200-point disparity between the average scores of Asian and black students.

A similar pattern emerged in ACT scores: the average for admitted Asian students was 32.94, compared to 31.14 for whites, 29.51 for Hispanics, and 27.78 for blacks. The differences in average GPAs among admitted students were narrower across all racial groups, with white students having the highest average GPA at 3.66, surpassing Asian students, whose average was 3.61.

The hackers noted on the page that "On June 29, 2023, racial affirmative action in college admissions was ruled illegal." They added that the data "reveals NYU continued anyway." It is unknown if this data is accurate or if the hackers were leaking false information. However, one Twitter user pointed out that since the university did not publicly deny the authenticity of the data, it is likely accurate.

Background on NYU's Admissions Practices

In July 2023, an online group who went by the same pseudonym, "Computer Niggy Exploitation," leaked more than 7 million social security numbers by hacking the University of Minnesota's admissions records since 1989. This incident is similar to the recent breach at NYU.

In June 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that colleges and universities can no longer take race into consideration as a specific basis in admissions. However, NYU issued a statement condemning the decision as a "step backwards." In October last year, admissions data showed a significant drop in historically underrepresented minority groups.

Implications of the Hack

The leaked data raises concerns about NYU's commitment to diversity and inclusion. If the statistics reported by the hackers are genuine, they cast doubt on the university's claims of transparency and equality in admissions. The only way to resolve this mystery is through transparency. Any university that receives federal funding should be required to disclose the average test scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Financial incentives play a powerful role in shaping institutional decisions. NYU, like many other universities, receives federal funding. This funding can create a moral hazard, where institutions prioritize financial interests over academic integrity. The recent breach at NYU highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in university admissions practices.

Conclusion

The hacking incident at NYU is a wake-up call for universities to re-examine their admissions practices and priorities. Transparency and accountability are essential for ensuring that institutions serve their students fairly and equitably. As we move forward, it is crucial that universities prioritize academic integrity over financial interests and commit to serving the public good.