<p>I guess there will be a few blatant "yes's" but here's what i mean: Colleges label us students as asian, latino, etc. with the occasional expectation that some URMs score lower on tests and all that other stuff (hope that doesn't sound so offensive, sorry if it does.) They see the white and asian students as fully capable, and what not, but more specifically, my question is how exactly do the admissions ppl view whites and asians? As affluent, middle-class, maybe even wealthy students with established families and who live in classy suburban areas? I for one, live in a good area in a large city, but I am lower middle-class, on top of the fact I immigrated to this country and thus my parents haven't been "established" in this country for generations, and all that other stuff. So, I'm just wondering, how can colleges see my history? I mean, do they just see me as the typical white student who can afford prep classes and a college advisor and tennis lessons ? I'm sorry if this sounds like a complaint, it's not. But I'm honestly wondering how colleges assess one's socio-economic situation even if one is asian or white (I mean, besides them seeing your family income). Sorry for ranting, but I'd like to know what you guys think.</p>
<p>first of all tennis lessons can be cheap, but to answer the real question, they can see your family income through fafsa etc and the essays are where you tell your story.</p>
<p>Tarun45, you're absolutely right, didn't realize about them seeing one's income and all. But also, I meant that, do they just see me as the typical white American who's been living here for decades, or do they know I immigrated and that my ethnicity is not "American". Btw, I mean, do they know this assuming I don't write any of this in my essays ?</p>
<p>"typical white student who can afford prep classes and a college advisor and tennis lessons"</p>
<p>Are you? if your not then they won't. If you are they will. It's as simple as that.</p>
<p>The reason many URMs are considered special is because in a lot of places they are placed at disadvantage compared to someone white because of the color of their skin or race due to inherent racism that is still rampant in this continent. As much as people will deny it, IT EXISTS, and unless you are black or latino or green or whatever you can't say it doesn't because you haven't felt it. </p>
<p>The reason that asians are not considered among the urms is NOT because they don't face discrimination, but because 1) many asian students have not had to deal with the consequences of racism as much as blacks or native populations have for various reasons, one of which is that their ancestors were not 'snatched' away from their cultures and thrown on farm-lands, but most came here with strong backgrounds and motivation, and a priviledge that other minority group simply do not have.</p>
<p>The same thing applies to economics and gender. However, it must be remembered that some barriers are easier to break than others (eg. people can rise above economic barriers, however gender and race are barriers that must been changed in the societal structure.)</p>
<p>"As affluent, middle-class, maybe even wealthy students with established families and who live in classy suburban areas? I for one, live in a good area in a large city, but I am lower middle-class, on top of the fact I immigrated to this country and thus my parents haven't been "established" in this country for generations,"</p>
<p>You are luckier than many of those s called 'established people'. Anyways, I think, in the end, colleges look at what resources you have had, and how you made use of them. If you had an abundance of resources available to you as a affluent kid living in suburbia, with a good home, family and everything then you better have made good use of that, same with if you had a few resources available living in middle of a ghetto. And it shows. In the end, it's really how much the person tried to overcome their circumstances that counts because that SHOWS you have potential to accomplish even greater things with even more resources. And I sincerely believe that's how it works.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Tarun45, you're absolutely right, didn't realize about them seeing one's income and all. But also, I meant that, do they just see me as the typical white American who's been living here for decades, or do they know I immigrated and that my ethnicity is not "American". Btw, I mean, do they know this assuming I don't write any of this in my essays ?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If that has made a difference in your life, then you could mention it. (eg. coming in, adjusting with a new environment and new expectations, and so on) otherwise, really... how has that made you any worse off than white people who have lived here for decades and yet have to scrape by... ? ...</p>
<p>Paraiso, it hasn't made me any worse off. You're absolutely right about overcoming certain situations. What I meant was, many immigrants have a difficult time adjusting, you know, with the language barrier, not having any relatives in the country, having to find a job, etc. It's a little bit different if you're an American who has been living the US for such a long time that English is your predominant language, you are American by nature and you know how society works. It's much different when you're a foreigner who comes here with no money and doesn't know much, but obviously everyone has to work to better their situations. You're right on another note, I guess whites who've been here for generations who struggle are also kind of in the same boat.</p>
<p>I Dont Think College Is Supposed To Make You Insecure About Your Race</p>
<p>That's the problem with affirmative action. It helps all URMs, regardless of social class and opportunity, but fails to aid the down-and-out ORMs.</p>
<p>I JUST posted this question on another thread, but it may be more appropriate here:</p>
<p>Is a kid [add white, middle-class], who hasn't had any apparent hardships other than the usual teen-angst going to be SOL in admissions these days?</p>
<p>Heavenwood, I think you have a point. believersmom, whats "SOL" ? May I also add that there are asians who don't have so much money, privilege, etc. It all lies in your financial situation.</p>
<p>
[quote]
whats "SOL" ?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>In nice terms,short of luck. In not so nice terms, S___ Out of Luck</p>
<p>gooduniforme, yes you are.</p>
<p>hunter-
was that answer intended for me?</p>
<p>nathan-
you got it.</p>
<p>hunter-
Oh I got it, you were responding to OP, what a concept.</p>
<p>A concept it is.......a great one.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The reason many URMs are considered special is because in a lot of places they are placed at disadvantage compared to someone white because of the color of their skin or race due to inherent racism that is still rampant in this continent.
[/quote]
I'm not so sure about that. It seems to me that AA has pretty much eliminated the possibility of there being racial discrimination in the work place or in education in today's society.</p>
<p>In fact, a lot of people would argue that it's gone overboard. I personally know of three people in my state who were passed over for job positions in favor of a minority who was much less qualified. It's all about meeting that quota these days, and it has less and less to do with qualification anymore.</p>