<p>Possible ways:</p>
<ol>
<li> College application. Yes, the checking the box is the final thing to do if you haven’t taken any other steps to get on the multicultural radar.</li>
<li> College websites. When you sign up to get additional information, they often ask about ethnicity & race.</li>
<li> College diversity offices. Many schools have special offices that help recruit URMs, eg. [Student</a> Recruitment Coordinators | Multicultural Outreach Program | Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.yale.edu/admit/mrp/bios.html]Student”>http://www.yale.edu/admit/mrp/bios.html)</li>
<li>National Hispanic Recognition Program. Several students on this board did not mark Hispanic on their PSAT, but when their scores came out, it looked like they would qualify as a Nat Hispanic Scholar. They contacted NHRP via their HS GC and were recognized. See the “Resources” sticky thread on this forum for links to information about NHRP.</li>
<li>Ventures Scholar. If the student is interested in math/science, they could join this organization, see the “Resources” sticky for a link. This organization also provides names of admissions personnel for participating colleges:
[Ventures</a> Scholars Program | Undergraduate Admissions Personnel](<a href=“http://www.venturescholar.org/hs/undergradcontact.php]Ventures”>http://www.venturescholar.org/hs/undergradcontact.php)</li>
<li> Diversity weekends. See the “Resources” sticky for a link to a thread discussing fly in possibilities.</li>
<li> Summer programs for URMs, see the “Resources” sticky.</li>
</ol>
<p>How much being a URM will help depends on each individual situation. For instance, factors that affect how much it will help include: statistics (gpa & test scores), rigor of coursework, the rest of the application (essays, LORs, ECs,), HS (eg, private or suburban vs. underserved), SES, identification with ethnicity, overcoming adversity, etc.</p>