"... which is a major tip that Harvard gives..."

[Data10]

@anxiousonion

The full quote is:

…majoring in the humanities, which is a major tip that Harvard gives because of Harvard’s recent inability to matriculate excellent students who want to major in the humanities…

From the Harvard attorney, at around 1:11.20 of the Supreme Court oral argument.

I believe they are basing this statement on the regression analysis. What the attorney calls “a major tip” is more on the level of a possible slight advantage that is near the borderline of statistical significance. Specific odds ratios are below for baseline (unhooked) and full controls.

CS Major – 1.6x increased chance of admission over social science
Humanities Major – 1.3x increased chance of admission over social science
Physics Major – 1.2x increased chance of admission over social science

Social Science / Engineering / Biology – Reference

Math Major – 1.1x decreased chance of admission below social science
Undecided / Unspecified – 3.4x decreased chance of admission below social science.