<p><a href=“%5Burl=http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1061632438-post775.html]#775[/url]”>quote</a> You’re a URM. It works to your advantage so why wouldn’t you use it?
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<p>–[An</a> argument against affirmative action](<a href=“http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/04/11/midday2/]An”>http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/04/11/midday2/)</p>
<p>I don’t know if anyone pointed this out but there are certainly more than a few factors that allow someone an edge over someone else. Athletes are accepted with lower tests scores and gpas, artists are, males in general are at some schools. Legacies are a definite one that almost automatically indicates socioeconomic level. I like that schools value diversity enough to seek it out from their applicant pool, I mean, if you are a truly unique individual then should people complain that “hey that person was born with a third nipple and wrote a great essay about it, that’s not fair!” I think that by being an URM, the standards shouldn’t be negated entirely but if my being a black female counts for something in terms of the student body or if it encourahes more URMs to apply to a certain school*, why not?</p>
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<li>I say that because I’ve read that a lack of minorities can make it so less minorities want to attend.</li>
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<p>I know Asian = “ORM.” </p>
<p>But does that mean Whites = Asians, or do Asians get a slight favor over a Caucasian? And what about schools like Vanderbilt, or LACs that don’t have a high percentage of Asians? Why would being an Asian be a disadvantage for schools like those?</p>
<p>I guess what I’m trying to say is, if being Asian is a disadvantage, why are there still < 20% Asians at most schools? Even at MIT… it’s not like the number of Asians = number of Whites. Is it because there are just a lower number of Asian applicants than White applicants that this happens?</p>
<p>I just don’t understand.</p>
<p>me too~~~how come being an asian is a disadvantage???</p>
<p>because Asians are the largest minority. Colleges would rather spend time recruiting the severely underrepresented minorities. Right now it seems like 30% asian, 7% black, 5% hispanics, etc.</p>
<p>…because asians tend to do so well in school that if top colleges admitted students based only on merit their student bodies would be less diverse. think >35% asian and <1% black. they would also have to admit fewer white students who (historically) tend to become the most successful and generous alumni.</p>
<p>It’s not. It’s a common misperception. </p>
<p>A study showed that the admit rates for Asians should be exactly the same as Whites, but whites had a higher percentage admit rate due to legacy and athlete recruitment, something that goes beyond racial factors…</p>
<p>and the Asian ORM concept only applies to some of the nation’s most competitive schools such as the UCs and Ivies. In most US colleges, Asians are also URMs and targets for minority recruiting…</p>
<p>This is what happens when individuals who lack the capacity for critical thinking end up equating rumors they heard on CC with real life.</p>
<p>Has a college admissions officer ever told you being Asian was a disadvantage?</p>
<p>No?</p>
<p>Well then stop assuming it is, just because CC has a propensity for racialist paranoia.</p>
<p>“I guess what I’m trying to say is, if being Asian is a disadvantage, why are there still < 20% Asians at most schools?”</p>
<p>You got the “ORM” part right- but I don’t think you understand what it means. </p>
<p>ORM = overrepresented Minority. </p>
<p>Think of it like this: </p>
<p>There is this gorgeous and prestigious university in a land called lollipop that everyone wishes to attend.
This university accepts 10 students from lollipop.
There are 24 students in lollipop world- 8 Asian, 8 Hispanic, and 8 native americans.
When acceptance letters start rolling in, eight asians are accepted because of their rediculously high grades- but only one NA and 1 Hispanic student are accepted. </p>
<p>tada, the asians are ORM’s .</p>
<p>Geeze!!! <1% black. Now I think clearly AA is not the only reason why most of blacks at top colleges get accepted. Look at the UC colleges (Berkely & LA). They go strictly by merit and they still manage to get more than 1% black and black people are not even such a huge population in the state. Plus some of them get discouraged by the number of blacks in these schools to apply (especially out of state student). Come on people there comes a point when your opinion starts becoming wrong, offensive and racist.</p>
<p>^ I’m sure they were exaggerating… </p>
<p>and even still African American representation in University of California campuses is disturbingly low… I blame socio-economic realities, and the mismanagement of California public schools for this trend.</p>
<p>id still like to make the argument that AA is only being perceived, and overall it really isnt anything noticeable. Id say that id be surprised at some african american admissions, but when you look at it overall, as an orm, i cant really complain.</p>
<p>and my viewpoints could be skewed. i mean, i come from the world where most asians seriously have like crazy character flaws and their only basis for HYPSM admissions is their academics. i rarely see proactive asians that try to take true initiatives and have the personally that allows them to find success in doing so.</p>
<p>Overall, i think that race isnt the biggest issue, but rather its concomitant characteristics that make AA not to blame. and so ultimately holistic admissions is whatll get the less statistically qualified applicants in.</p>
<p>but what do i know? statistically, im your typical asian. id like to say ill have some bomb recs and essays, and so when i find out if i can get into HYPSM next year i might change my mind.</p>
<p>@yawn - wow, that comment was unnecessarily rude. I’m not saying I think Asians have a disadvantage - I’m more wondering why people think they do. Thus: “I just don’t understand.”</p>
<p>b/c its easier to stereotype a race that looks very similar and generally lacks creative facilities (no racist im actually asian).</p>
<p>also they are all the same (good at math and science)</p>
<p>^ It’s still racist. I don’t care if you’re Asian. </p>
<p>The Asian stereotype is old, and groundless.</p>
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Try asking, “Why do people think it’s a disadvantage to be Asian?”, rather than, “Why is it a disadvantage to be Asian?”.</p>
<p>The way you say things makes a hell of a difference.</p>
<p>@ yawn actually in a way an admissions officer told me asian was a disadvantage. He is my friend’s dad’s friend and an officer at one of the Pomona schools(not going to say which one specifically for obvious reasons), but he told me sometimes when he reads essays he says “O, great another Asian immigrant with typical asian stats”. He laughs about it, so I don’t know if he actually thinks this.</p>
<p>^ Well, obviously everyone is aware of that notion. But that doesn’t mean an admissions officer is actually going to use that as criteria to reject an Asian student.</p>
<p>^ yeah… but its the same. An Asian with typical stats will get rejected, just as a white person would with typical, non-exciting stats. For many schools many Asians pursue similar ECs, and focus too much on academics, which is unacceptable in the holistic admissions arena… Look at some of the chance me threads for UC schools… I can’t distinguish one from the other sometimes… seriously… do they all have to volunteer at a hospital, join few clubs, do 100-200 hours volunteering, some minor awards and leadership positions?</p>
<p>heck, like i said, asians with good stats just tend to have character flaws.</p>
<p>i mean, thinking back to all of the asians ive known that have moderately good stats and a genuine sense of leadership/desire to make a difference, i cant think of any asian thats truly been snubbed in terms of college admissions. </p>
<p>heck, most of us can agree that being black would make life easier to at least some extent. but that isnt the question. id have to say that being an ORM never in itself breaks applicants.</p>