Does race really matter in grad school apps?

Professor_X
Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:53:14 +0000

The one way in which race/ethnicity/first generation to attend college/gender could matter in graduate admissions is this:

Some disciplines have historically underrepresented populations. These populations vary by discipline. Sometimes there are “extra” assistantship lines available through the Graduate School for applicants from underrepresented groups within a particular discipline. The department usually needs to make an argument for these “extra” support lines, and can effectively do so when they have evidence that a desirable (in other words, completely qualified) applicant is a member of an underrepresented group.

Just to be clear: The existence of these “extra” lines do not effect non-underrepresented applicants in any way.