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United States has a history of discrimination against non-whites. Colleges and universities have played an important role against segregation and promoting equal opportunities. Within these actions, this article highlights the case of experiments in admissions to college in Texas, California and Florida, through percent plans that offer an alternative "race-neutral". This paper seeks to serve four purposes. First, it provides a broad overview of the college choice and admissions processes as well as the most commonly considered "race-neutral" strategies. Next, it provides a detailed description of the three percent plan policies in place in the United States, noting the similarities and, importantly, the distinctions between and among them. Third, it summarizes the empirical literature produced over more than a decade describing the effectiveness of these percent plans on various outcomes of interest. Finally, in the context of that research base, the paper reflects on the strengths and challenges of a percent plan in furthering an equity agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]