Discussion: Does Race/Gender affect College Admission?

Deuces

How much of an affect does race have on college admissions? Any experiences or input on this topic? I'm in my junior year so college is all I can think about right now. For an African American male like myself will that affect my college application?

Discuss.

Doc

I'd say it can only help (for diversity purposes), not hurt.

This thread could be interesting.

RazB32

You got a black president. I hope prejudice (on the scale your questionning) is abysmal in the US

(Cole)

Read up, mi amigo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affirmative_action

Different colleges and universities have different policies on affirmative action (there are all sorts of state and federal laws...it's a multi-layered subject...and also a touchy one), but as years go by, more and more is being done to diversify school populations...

Drais.

It mostly helps these days. Colleges want to create as much of a diverse student body as possible since it makes them look really good. Plus many scholarships and grants are for minorities only. But ATRL is the last place you need to ask this question since most of the girls are still in high school like yourself.

Sunshine.

Quote:

Originally posted by Deuces.

How much of an affect does race have on college admissions? Any experiences or input on this topic? I'm in my junior year so college is all I can think about right now. For an African American male like myself will that affect my college application?

Discuss.

It can either have a significant effect or not. For example, if you and an Asian candidate are up in the same pool when it comes credentials, it may behoove the school to diversify its student body by choosing you -- the African American student.

If the Asian students credential FAR outweigh yours, no respectable school is going to let that brain go just to look like they're diverse.

Deuces

Quote:

Originally posted by R|E|V|E|R|I|E

It mostly helps these days. Colleges want to create as much of a diverse student body as possible since it makes them look really good. Plus many scholarships and grants are for minorities only. But ATRL is the last place you need to ask this question since most of the girls are still in high school like yourself.

ATRL can be surprisingly informative.

NE.

It can only help you. Especially as an African-American MALE. That's a demographic that colleges are trying to get into their schools.

You want to make sure you put BLACK on EVERYTHING. Trust me.

RastaMentality

Quote:

Originally posted by RazB32

You got a black president. I hope prejudice (on the scale your questionning) is abysmal in the US

Girl. There's prejudice everywhere. You act like blacks control congress and are all up and through the Capitol.

VPM

Quote:

Originally posted by R|E|V|E|R|I|E

It mostly helps these days. Colleges want to create as much of a diverse student body as possible since it makes them look really good. Plus many scholarships and grants are for minorities only.

This.

Deuces

Interesting information so far.

VPM

There are still the "historically black" colleges. Most were founded in periods when race truly did influence college admission. But nowadays they really aren't needed, although they do teach some things (relating to history) that other colleges won't. But that information isn't needed to get a good, secure career.

Deuces

Quote:

Originally posted by VPM

There are still the "historically black" colleges. Most were founded in periods when race truly did influence college admission. But nowadays they really aren't needed, although they do teach some things (relating to history) that other colleges won't. But that information isn't needed to get a good, secure career.

My mom's friend got mad when I told her I didn't want to go to a historically black college.

I like diverse environments, like my high school.

Tropez

Yes, its called Affirmative Action. And being African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Female (some schools is men, because there's more females in college than men), and first generation college student will increase your chances. But not by a lot.

You still need to have good grades, but if a white applicant with similar grades as you are fighting for the same spot. The minority will get in.

Tropez

Quote:

Originally posted by NE.

It can only help you. Especially as an African-American MALE. That's a demographic that colleges are trying to get into their schools.

You want to make sure you put BLACK on EVERYTHING. Trust me.

You still need to have the great stats. They won't a student with a D average, and now activities and volunteering. And if you're Native American your chances are much more higher since there isn't many of them.

VPM

Quote:

Originally posted by Deuces.

My mom's friend got mad when I told her I didn't want to go to a historically black college.

I like diverse environments, like my high school.

Same. I'd much rather diversity.

MrHiphy

Good for minority scholarships.

satellites.™

Depending on the college and the state, you will probably be one of the few black males they have, so it should be a cakewalk if you have the grades.

RatedG²

It depends on the college. Most of the time IF the college accepts affirmative action it'll help, but not by much. Some people have the notion that if one person is white and has a 4.0 GPA and a black person has a 3.6 GPA they'll accept the black person. Affirmative action is that skin color for diversity will be a factor, not the ending factor like it's made out to be. So it will be a difference, but not by much

Deemy

It does. Especially if you are a minority and live in an underprivileged home or neighborhood. They are more lenient in the admissions process but they cant just let you slide through unless you meet the base criteria of what they want.