In 1996, the voters of the State of California passed Proposition 209, which banned affirmative action by race or gender in admissions based on athletics or artistic ability at public universities. Yet California continues to allow preferential admissions based on athletic or artistic ability at public colleges and universities, and preferences of all sorts are allowed at the private universities, including preferences for the children of wealthy alumni. Since the passage of 209, several other states have adopted similar measures. Answer the following questions and defend your position: Should university admissions at all institutions, both public and private, be genuinely race and gender blind, based solely on academic qualifications? How would you measure "academic qualifications" in a way that was not biased for or against any particular race or gender? Are there any factors for admission, other than academic qualifications, which seem justifiable and fair to you? Should there be a preference for gifted athletes, musicians, children of alumni, or veterans?

This is a tough question.   It's tough because a straight "yes" or "no" is likely the wrong the answer.  I can see pros and cons to keeping proposition 209, and I can say the same thing for getting rid of it. The questions that are listed above are mainly "yes" or "no" questions, and I don't know if you are allowed to take a middle ground or not.  If you aren't allowed to take the middle ground, then remember that the questions are ultimately opinion based questions.  Pick the answer that you feel most passionately about because that passion will definitely come through in your answer.  Teachers can "hear" that kind of thing.  On the other hand, you could pick the answer that is easier to support and defend.  A well defended answer is easier to agree with.  
I don't want to push your answer in either direction, so I am going to try to stay neutral and be my own Devil's advocate.  
"Should university admissions at all institutions, both public and private, be genuinely race and gender blind, based solely on academic qualifications?"
Yes.  A university is an educational institution.  If the school wants to only accept the very best academically qualified individuals, then race, gender, etc. should not be considered.  
No.  A university is more than just classrooms and books.  It's a community, and a racially diverse community is a more vibrant and robust community.  Learning doesn't only happen in the classroom, and students that experience a diverse learning community are more well rounded students.  The following quote is from The Huffington Post. 

Justice Anthony Kennedy rammed the point home that race can be considered in admission to ensure broad, and meaningful racially diverse colleges. 

"How would you measure "academic qualifications" in a way that was not biased for or against any particular race or gender?"
I don't think this is actually possible.  Test bias is almost impossible to avoid.  Standardized tests like the SAT and ACT might be a good place to start, but even the 2016 SAT test came under fire for stereotypes and gender bias.  What one group sees as a neutral test, another might see as very biased.  And it's possible that a completely neutral test is not a test that is effectively measuring student knowledge and/or ability.  
"Are there any factors for admission, other than academic qualifications, which seem justifiable and fair to you? Should there be a preference for gifted athletes, musicians, children of alumni, or veterans?"
Yes.  Universities want well rounded students.  A student that gets great grades but is incapable of working with a team or socially interacting with peers is not necessarily somebody that the university wants representing their name in the job market.  A "B" student that works well in collaborative environments, honorably represents the university on the basketball court, and spends time volunteering in the community is a great reflection of what the university wants to produce.   
No. Preferential admission is too subjective to be fair.  Academic success based on standardized test scores is fairest way to accept students.  It's an objective method of admissions; therefore, it takes out the potential of human favoritism and ensures that all potential students are being measured with the same scale.  
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/time-for-california-lawma_b_10688544