<p>College admissions is all about building a class. Think of a high school musical director who is choosing a cast for a show. Let’s use “Guys and Dolls” as the example. The director needs to cast so many males, so many females, so many sopranos, altos, etc. They need to cast for particular roles. </p>
<p>Admission to a top college works much the same way. In a very real sense, you aren’t competing against everyone in the applicant pool for admission; you’re competing against those who can play the same “role” or “roles.” So, at most top colleges, about 15% of the places will be reserved for athletes. If you’re not an athlete, those spots are not for you. Is it fair? No, but that’s how the system works. About 10% of the spots will go to internationals; if you are a US citizen, those spots aren’t for you. Fair? Not really, but that’s the reality. Some seats will go to underrepresented minorities (URM’s). Again, if you’re not a URM, that’s not a role you can play. </p>
<p>Blacks are not competing against whites or asians for the same spots – they are competing against each other for the roles each can play.</p>