<p>will being an arab help me get into college at all?</p>
<p>All other things being equal, I think it's a population that's not well-represented on most campuses. I think being an ethnic Arab could be a "hook" or an extra boost for admission to competitive programs</p>
<p>id like to know as well</p>
<p>Generally, no. Most colleges don't practice affirmative action to the extent that it actually makes a significant difference.
aka assuming the SATs, ECs, and essays are identical
White kid with 4.0 will always beat a black kid with a 3.8
but a black kid with a 3.99 may beat a white kid with a 4.0</p>
<p>I think it will help in that you can easily use it as a hook by showing overcoming discrimination, but not AA style.</p>
<p>DanielR2007: the difference between a 3.8 and a 4.0 is insignificant in the eyes of adcoms; the URM status would probably give the black kid the tip over the white kid.</p>
<p>I agree with kyledavid80.</p>
<p>Being black or Hispanic would definitely provide a big boost. Arabic is more of a nationality thing so I doubt that would help much.</p>
<p>Well how about Lebanese? I don't think many other people's parents had to survive two bloody wars; I definitely think that is a disadvantage. </p>
<p>Also, if one of your parents never attained a formal education (actually nobody on my mother's side has ever had a uni. degree), does that aid you somehow?</p>
<p>if you want to talk hardship, chinese is hard to beat. cultural revolution was hard on everyone, especially scholars (my family) and anyone with a formal education. of course, AA discriminates against Asians in favor of an obscure ideal called diversity.</p>
<p>It probably wouldn't help in itself, but if you have some thoughtful and interesting perspectives on being Arab that you can write about in an essay, that could help.</p>
<p>As for fastMEd, it sounds like you could benefit from some exposure to that obscure ideal called diversity. Hope you get it in college because you'll need it in the workplace.</p>
<p>"Well how about Lebanese? I don't think many other people's parents had to survive two bloody wars; I definitely think that is a disadvantage."</p>
<p>This post is so freaking funny. You are forgetting that your parents aren't going to college, you are.</p>
<p>@Abhi </p>
<p>I was referring to financial aid. People from disadvantaged families get aid, such as Vietnamese-origin families. I think you misunderstood, I meant that because of war my parents were at an economic disadvantage which was passed on to me. Out of context, its funny though.</p>
<p>On a side note, I am personally against the whole affirmation idea, but I can't personally do anything about it, so I might as well take advantage of it.</p>
<p>You didn't mentioned Fin aid then, and the OP was concerned about getting into college. Sorry if my comment hurt you.</p>
<p>hello, Being Arabic can be a hook, but only under certain circumstances.
1. Large universities and all colleges in urban environments get plenty of ethnic diversity. However, rural colleges have a harder time recruiting and matriculating ethnic diversity so for those schools, yes, being Arabic would be a plus.</p>
<ol>
<li>Understanding Islam is a big ticket on campus right now. If you are Muslim, that is a hook. If you are not Muslim, but interact as a non-Muslim in an Arabic community that could also be a hook. This could best be communicated in your essay. Colleges of all kinds are looking for people who can bring unique life experiences to the community.</li>
</ol>
<p>
[quote]
2. Understanding Islam is a big ticket on campus right now. If you are Muslim, that is a hook. If you are not Muslim, but interact as a non-Muslim in an Arabic community that could also be a hook. This could best be communicated in your essay. Colleges of all kinds are looking for people who can bring unique life experiences to the community.
[/quote]
</p>
<p><em>Sigh</em></p>
<p>So when did college start promoting a particular religion? That's the worst AA can get.</p>
<p>lol...that's good for me ;)..Anyways, Colleges do not promote particular religions, however they do want diversity on their campus. They do not a campus full of only Christians, Jews, or Muslims, they would much rather have a mix of all of them since in real life you will likely encounter your fair share of each type of person.</p>
<p>Religion is something that could be changed. Soon we'll have kids changing their religion to get into colleges.</p>
<p>I think the answer to the OP's question is that if you can use your ethnicity show something unique and interesting about your character, yes, it's an advantage.</p>
<p>lol, so Abhi you are saying (assuming you're not Muslim right now) that you would legally change your name to Muhammed or another Muslim name just to have a very slight advantage?</p>