Am I an URM or equivalent? Does this Increase chances at HYP?

Applying to College
1

<p>I was just wondering if anything about my ethnic background sets me apart from other applicants. I was born in Norway and lived there for the first five years of my life to a Norwegian mother and Turkish father. I am fluent in Norwegian and came here when i was 5. I am a permament resident in the US and a citizen of norway. </p>

<p>Where does that put me? I don't think I'm a URM or anything, but it has to count for something right?</p>

<p>(Turkish name and pass more for Turkish than Norwegian)</p>

<p>I'll post my stats later...</p>

2

<p>Not a hook, sorry. Mildly interesting, but there are plenty of applicants with interesting ethinc/cultural backgrounds.</p>

3

<p>It is my understanding that both Norwegian and Turkish are considered caucasian -- so not a minority.</p>

4

<p>Tekman, I think I know what you mean, even though most people on cc as Americans probably wouldn't. You're a marginalized minority in Scandinavia (if my experiences as an immigrant in Sweden are comparable), but in the US, you would not be part of groups that traditionally have been excluded from higher education. In other words, you have a unique and quirky background, which is interesting - but you are not bound to be a "big" minority with cultural and acknowledged obstacles.</p>

5

<p>yeah you may not "technically" be a minority but your unique cultural upbringing and immigration and position as minority (turkish) in Norway is interesting. Plus you offer a lot to colleges through your unique cultural viewpoint.</p>

<p>What I'm saying is this could be a big plus on an app essay. Not every kid speaks Norwegian and is half-Turkish. Plus half of Turkey is in Asia (and the other half is in East Europe) so that's gotta count for something</p>

6

<p>I'm from a Muslim country in Eastern Europe, and discussed what segregation and marginalization as an immigrant in Scandinavia looks like in my app. You have to treat your experiences as a valid and valuable viewpoint - it ain't your genes and culture in themselves that are interesting, it is what very different life lessons and observations you've been exposed to as a result of your particular ethnicity and particular situation. </p>

<p>I firmly believe that American universities are much better than European at acknowledging the resources of, and doing something constructive, with this - but you have to be able to show adcoms that you understand how this enables you to contribute something tangible and unique, too.</p>

7

<p>Alright, now that I've got some opinions going on my ethnic background, how do you think this couples with my stats?</p>

<p>Keep these stats in mind with the fact that I go to a really small school with a graduating class of ~60.</p>

<p>Academic</p>

<p>1st in class</p>

<p>99.4 average</p>

<p>SAT 1: 740 Math, 740 Verbal, 660 Writing (Took on May 5th again)
Taking Subject tests in math, lit., and US history in June</p>

<p>College US history (credit at local CC)</p>

<p>Enrolled in 4 college classes next year</p>

<p>French - 5 years</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars</p>

<p>Attending Boys' State in June (hopefully boys nation too)</p>

<p>Youth in Government- President (Chairperson at county steering convention, attending meeting in Albany)</p>

<p>National Honor Society - VP (President next year)</p>

<p>Varsity soccer player- State finalists :(</p>

<p>French club- President</p>

<p>Leo's Club</p>

<p>Band- 1st Trumpet</p>

<p>150+ hours comm. service as lights supervisor at school plays</p>

<p>50+ hours at various other tasks (blood drives, PTA events, etc.)</p>

<p>I have 4 younger siblings and help out at many practices and teams, i.e. little leauge and REC soccer</p>

<p>Prom Committee</p>

<p>Class of 2008- Treasurer- 2 years </p>

<p>(Running for HS and/or class president next year)</p>

<p>Working three jobs this summer 50+ hours a week</p>

8

<p>Fair shot. Nothing amazing here that jumps off the page and says "Accept me, and not those other 18000 kids applying to H or Y or P that also have similar stats", but you certainly <em>could</em> be admitted. Stronger overall test scores would also help your case, since your extras are pretty good (not incredible (you didn't prove the existence of god :)), but still above average for HYP) and since you are at a little bit of a disadvantage because your HS is so small. </p>

<p>Make sure of course to apply to a wide range of schools so that in the (likely, unfortunately) case that it doesn't work at a HYP, you still have an excellent school to go to.</p>

9

<p>I also forgot to mention that I am a first generation college student. That might help a bit.</p>

10

<p>Are you truly first gen, or are you first gen in that your parents didn't go to school in the US? I'm not trying to be picky about it, but I would think that the first case would get a (relatively minor) boost in admissions, while the second probably wouldn't.</p>

11

<p>Neither of my parents went to any post-high school schooling.</p>

12

<p>So that's a minor boost for your app. It'll help, and every little bit gets you a little bit closer, but it's not a big hook. It's really how you put it all together--when only 7% of RD applicants or 10% of all applicants get accepted, it takes very little to fall out of that echelon. It's all in the finishing...an excellent essay, excellent recs, excellent portrayal of yourself can go far.</p>

13

<p>Bizzump. Any other thoughts?</p>