Is a low income student (like really low) considered a URM? I have a really low income but im white, and a Russian immigrant…so would i classify as a “urm”? Would it benefit me to have high grades, great EC’s and amazing rec’s and essay, but so so (like low 1300s SATs), along with that economic status in admissions?
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<p>No this does nto make you a URM. IF you are applying as an international student, having a low income could work against you as very few schools are need blind to international students. However your SAT scores will be looked at in context of the opportunities offered.</p>
<p>Im a US citizen, but i wasn’t born here. I heard somewhere though, and read somewhere that minorities are coupled with economically underpriviledged households.</p>
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<p>That is partly true, but more in the sense that they’re not going to expect you to have the same amazing extracurriculars like voluteer service with indonesian tsunami victims or competitive horseback riding as they would a person of substantial economic means. They would probably give you some breaks on your SAT score too if they see you come from a really poor/disadvantaged school environment, but a low score like you mentioned is never going to be looked at as a “benefit.” </p>
<p>Keep in mind, though, that adcoms won’t know you’re socially/economically disadvantaged unless it shows through your parents lack of educational background, school profile, and/or essays.</p>
<p>Ill definitely show it through my essays. I cant show it through my school profile cus my school offers a good deal of opportunities, like many APs, but not like 25 like so many other schools. My parents are immigrants so they didnt get their education here. Also, my ECs are really good, but they have nothing to do with economic capability. I didnt have to go to Tahiti for it, nor did I need to pay for any of my activities. Lastly, a low score obviously isnt a benefit. I meant that a low score coupled with a really low income, due to my parents being separated, and my mom being disabled can benefit me. Can it not? My family situation will definitely resonate through my essays cus i know its need-blind and i absolutely must show this big factor in my life to the adcoms.</p>
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<p>In situation because you would not be considered a first generation college student. Even though your parents are separated, the income of both your parents will still be taken into consideration during the financial aid process as both will have to file their financial paperwork in order for you to get financial aid. So even if your father does not contribute to the household, there will still be an expectation that he contributes to your education based on what the school beleives that he can afford to pay.</p>
<p>You will still be expected to take the most rigerous curriculum that your school offers and do well. </p>
<p>I would suggest looking at a wide variety of schools even if it means coming down a tier to schools where you could be eligible for merit aid.</p>
<p>This is the stupidest thread ever- everyone knows the only real indicator of wealth and past opportunities is skin color!</p>
<p>lol.</p>
<p>but yes. princeton especially has an incredibly small number of low-income kids, and that’s why ivies, and this year especially, yale, have increased their financial aid (under a certain threshold, they will pay your entire education). low-income students are a ‘minority’ at ivies. if you are an outstanding student and low-income, it may help you a bit, but will not make up for any lack on the app. so if there is you and someone similar to you (and you’re all qualified), but you’re low-income, they will pick you to increase ‘diversity.’</p>
<p>See the following from the UNC website: <a href=“http://studentaid.unc.edu/[/url]”>http://studentaid.unc.edu/</a></p>
<p>The Carolina Covenant is a university commitment to make it possible for low-income students to graduate from Carolina debt-free. To be eligible, a familys annual income may not exceed200% of the federal poverty standard, and the family must also qualify for federal student financial aid. If you believe you fit these criteria or want to learn more, visit The Carolina Covenant pages for complete details. If not, please use the menu to the left to access information on both need-based and merit aid resources available to you.</p>
<p>The whole thing about URM status is political, not logical. A poor URM from a ghetto high school counts the same as an affluent URM from a prep school. They both add +1 to the counter that the politicians are using to track Affirmative Action. This is not fair, but so what. Also, on a statistical basis, AA is going to help more disadvantaged URM’s than rich URM’s.</p>
<p>Back to the OP, the adcoms try as much as possible to ascertain a feel for the situation and personality of the applicant. They expect applicants from prep schools to have higher SAT scores than applicants from average public schools. They expect applicants whose parents are doctors and lawyers to have higher gpa scores than applicants whose parents did not attend college. Keep this in mind filling out the app and writing your essays.</p>
<p>The top colleges are more likely to be need blind than not. Some colleges have reputations for good finanancial aid packages (Emory), and some don’t (Brown). On an individual basis, there is no way to predict. One person will get outstanding FA at College A and poor FA at College B, and then another person will be the exact opposite. If you apply to enough colleges, you will probably get very good FA somewhere. You need to apply for financial aid as soon as possible after Jan 1st.</p>
<p>You said Cornell. It is a very bad idea to apply ED to any school if you are also planning to also apply for financial aid. The specific ED college agrees to meet your FA need if they accept you, but they can do this in different ways. They may give you a $35K per year grant and a $5K per year loan, or they may give you a $25K grant and a $15K loan. The grant is free money, but the loan has to paid back. By applying ED, you give up your ability to compare the grant/loan ratio that different colleges offer you. Applying ED does make it easier to be accepted, but the downside of FA normally outweighs the advantage.</p>
<p>Well, yes, ive heard of all these things. I do take advantage of all the opportunities available to me. I will try as best I can to project the fact that i come from this type of household but overcome financial obstacles and have succeeded in school, and outside of school. I love Cornell too much, and my chances with ED are too high to pass it up. I know a kid just like me, same income, same status, got in ED, and got a full scholarship to Cornell '09. Low income ppl are a “minority” in elite colleges. Thats why my questions asked am i considered a minority, and i see from the comments that in a way it definitely is.</p>
<p>You must also know that Cornell is another school that is notorious for not giving good aid. Depending on how much money your father makes, you may not be considered low income. Do either of your parent’s own a home, those are assets that will be used to calculate your FA. Do they have a 401K- assets. There are many people who are cash poor and asset rich who don’t get aid or don’t get the aid they were expecting.</p>
<p>LOL…thats funny…a house? 401k? assets? is not even in my parents’ dictionary…I live in a crappy 1 bedroom apartment in which i dont have my own room, and i sleep on the couch in the livingroom 
… i think many ppl here on CC (assuming and knowing that many here are very elite/priviledged/rich white prep kids) couldnt survive one day like that, or um how about going to 10 stores finding the cheapest price just to save 2 bucks? Hmm…</p>
<p>What would be the situation if your parents have PhDs but have unnaturally low paying jobs?</p>
<p>Regarding the last post, that seems off the topic.</p>
<p>Bklyn2Cornell: For one thing, I would talk to your guidance counselor and ask him/her to bring your situation into the recommendation and describe how well you have done in spite of it. Secondly, and this is only my own thought, you might contact Cornell about an interview with the adcom member responsible for your area.</p>
<p>Well dufus, im such a motivated and driven student that ive actually done the first part…my counselor got a whole lecture from me about my situation and she promised me that over the summer, she would work on an outstanding recommendation for me. The second note, i was thinking of doing a little later, when i actually get the application. Is it too early to ask now for an interview? Whats funny is that i emailed two schools already at Cornell expressing my desire to attend, i told them im really driven and i really want to go, and i also emailed the same letter with several questions regarding interviews, open houses, and visits to the coordinator of the NYC area, so they got lots of emails from me and im sure they have that on file.</p>
<p>There is still some time. At this time of the year, the adcom members are touring the country trying to drum up interest in their colleges so that they can deny more people and keep the selectivity number up for the college.</p>
<p>You sound like you are on top of things. I think you will basically be asking that you are treated in the same way as a URM from the same socioeconomic background. All I know is from this thread, but I would suggest that you be careful not to come off too strong. They need to like you and want to help you. Modesty and simple statements about your homelife may go farther than a hard sell about how bad you’ve had it. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot. I just remembered that Cornell calls prospects right after they send in part 1 of the app for an interview. So i estimate that will happen in August. Im gonna visit in early september and ill request an interview there too.</p>
<p>Also…
I don’t think it matters if people are really focused on one school at this time of the year, but you should look around at the other schools that are available. There are a lot of great schools.</p>