So, would I as someone who is the only person of my race AND religion at my school be counted as an URM despite the fact that I am an international student? Does the term URM only apply to U.S. citizens? Please enlight me on this and my apologies for asking such dumb questions.
Let me rephrase. You are asking if you might benefit from Affirmative Action on the basis of your race or your religion, even if you are not a US citizen?
There’s no yes or no answer. Affirmative action policies can vary quite a bit between institutions and may be up to the discretion of the person reading your application.
That said, affirmative action is not meant to help foreigners. It’s meant to counter-act the systemic disadvantages that some Americans face, which have evolved over hundreds of years of genocide, enslavement, oppression and discrimination. Race-based admissions also aims to get a critical mass of minorities onto college campuses so that everyone has a community that they can relate to. Culture is more important than skin color for that purpose.
Regardless of whether cookie-cutter affirmative action policies apply to you, your racial or religious identity may be considered just like any and all other personal circumstances. Especially if you can explain why it matters.
Thank you so much for your comment. This was very helpful!