<p>I am at the top of my school, yet I am not as competitive as other applicants. I am the first in my family to attend school; my parents speak very poor English and hardly got an education, so it was difficult for them to help me with my homework. I have grown up in South Central Los Angeles, and I have not had the same opportunities as other students have. I have done as much as I can with my community, over 800 hours of volunteer service, and I have taken the toughest courses available. I have joined as many school clubs as I can, considering that my school offers less than 10 clubs. I do not know if any of this matters, and if I am just whinning when I say that I have beaten the odds.</p>
<p>It doesn’t really matter if you’ve joined all the clubs available - they’re not looking to see how thin you can spread yourself. Do you have leadership any of them? Plus your CR score is pretty low & your APs only 4s… but then you’re a URM.</p>
<p>it is not that i am a URM, it is the fact that i have not had as many opportunities as others. i have been in the dark when it comes to what the world has to offer. how much help can a parent give when even he is in the dark as well. how much support can a community give when each child is in a worse position than i am. ive had to start from scratch… there are white people in my position as well, coming from families of low incomes and trashy neighborhoods like my own.</p>
<p>I didn’t mean that being a URM is the cause of any of the things I mentioned but being a URM gives you an advantage in the college admissions process - which is a good thing. As for your neighbourhood and low income families, I’m in the same position myself and have been for my entire life so don’t think I’m being ignorant to that. The only thing I can’t relate to is parents not speaking english which I’m sure must be difficult. I’m confused by what you mean about help from parents/support from a community though? Maybe it’s because I’m not from the US, I have no idea. Help a girl out? :)</p>