Kyle Kashuv, the outspoken conservative student from Parkland High School, was accepted into Harvard College's Class of 2023 a few months ago. That was until administrators made note of some racist remarks Kashuv made in a private Google document when he was 16 years old. He apologized for the writings and has experienced some personal growth since then, but it didn't seem to make a difference to the school. The stunned student gave us a primer on his Twitter page.
1/ THREAD: Harvard rescinded my acceptance.
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
Three months after being admitted to Harvard Class of 2023, Harvard has decided to rescind my admission over texts and comments made nearly two years ago, months prior to the shooting.
I have some thoughts. Here’s what happened.
2/ A few weeks ago, I was made aware of egregious and callous comments classmates and I made privately years ago - when I was 16 years old, months before the shooting - in an attempt to be as extreme and shocking as possible.
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
I immediately apologized.
Here is my apology: pic.twitter.com/eI38ziiQE8
3/ After I issued this apology, speculative articles were written, my peers used the opportunity to attack me, and my life was once again reduced to a headline.
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
It sent me into one of the darkest spirals of my life.
4/ After the story broke, former peers & political opponents began contacting Harvard urging them to rescind me. Harvard then sent this letter stating that Harvard "reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission" and requested a written explanation within 72 hours. pic.twitter.com/RfEQCvjgDX
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
5/ I responded to the letter with a full explanation, apology, and requested documents. pic.twitter.com/yWd6FeKWOJ
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
In subsequent messages Kashuv explained how he had even reached out to Harvard's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, who sent him a warm message in return thanking him for his apology and telling him they were "looking forward" to connecting with him upon his matriculation. What changed?
He also admitted he has no clue what to do now.
"I had given up huge scholarships in order to go to Harvard, and the deadline for accepting other college offers has ended," he explained.
In the weeks following the mass shooting at Parkland in February 2018, in which 17 of his classmates and teachers were killed, Kashuv's more progressive classmates like David Hogg and Emma Gonzalez got all the media hits and magazine covers discussing gun control, while his conservative viewpoints didn't make the cut. That changed thanks in part to Kashuv's viral interview with Townhall's Guy Benson. Since then, Kashuv started finding his voice, working with lawmakers on school safety legislation, and even scored a meeting with President Trump.
Meanwhile, Hogg's invitation to Harvard still stands.