U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative justices raise doubts about using race in college admissions

People rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday as the court begins to hear oral arguments in two cases that could decide the future of affirmative action in college admissions. (J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press)

WASHINGTON — The survival of affirmative action in higher education appeared to be in serious trouble Monday at a conservative-dominated Supreme Court after hours of debate over difficult questions of race.

The court is weighing challenges to admissions programs at the University of North Carolina and Harvard that use race among many factors in seeking a diverse student body.