<p>I am an African American, and I go to a high school with more than 700 kids in my grade, with less than 20 of them being black.
The high school is a specialized NYC high school, with admissions based on a test.</p>
<p>How can I turn this into something positive for my application, if at all?</p>
<p>You could, if it's really and truly affected you. But your race alone is an admissions boost, and it may be more pragmatic to let your accomplishments and passions come through in valuable essay space.</p>
<p>The kind of high school that you're going to could make an interesting essay topic if, for instance, because of your interest in having a superior education, you passed up a chance to go to a more ordinary high school with lots of black students who happened to be your friends.</p>
<p>It also could be an interesting essay topic if, for instance, you have made a point of educating your peers about black history and culture by, for example, starting some kind of black history month celebration at your school.</p>
<p>Otherwise, however, I agree with glassesarechic: Your stats, race and the quality of your high school will be what colleges care about, not how many black students are enrolled.</p>
<p>From what I've seen, admissions personnel are assigned to various areas of the country and make it their job to be aware of the ins and outs of the many high schools in their particular area. In other words, your record will speak for itself.</p>