<p>I think the colleges are sincere in wanting to have diversity on campus. A college like Amherst has a special problem. It may be the #1 LAC in the country, but most high school students just aim for the ivies until they become more knowledgeable about the available schools. They don't even know about UChicago, Northwestern, Hopkins, or the others in the same category as the ivies until the learn about them. Amherst does need to reach out more. It just is a bit like Alice's wonderland if people are singled out based on skin color and given free trips, great food and trips to amusement parks in order to attempt to get them register for a college. I don't have a problem with it and I understand the reasons, but it is slightly surreal.</p>
<p>In addition, the diversity on campus goes away after the weekend is over. The weekend shows a campus full of diversity and all the current students of color are encouraging the new recruits to attend. After they do sign up, it is a campus with very little diversity. Rachel Toors in "Admissions Confidential" said that she spoke to black students at Duke who felt guilty that they were encouraging other black students to attend Duke because they did feel lonely as a minority on the campus. What are you gonna do, though?</p>
<p>I'm sorry if I'm coming across as negative. The whole thing is certainly no more surreal than people not being allowed to use public water fountains or having to ride at the back of a bus because of their skin color. Enjoy the trip if you go. I know I would. I love free stuff.</p>
<p>And Dufus, I'm sorry if I'm coming across as accusing you of being negative. I think we CC parents of URMs tend to be a bit jumpy and defensive when the system that favors our children is repeatedly and vehemently attacked. And I'm not saying that your posts on this thread have been that way. You have been thoughtful and polite. I'm simply offering an explanation for our jumpiness.</p>
<p>*When we fear pluralism as the enemy, succumb to the allure of a seeming emotional unity or seek to enforce a meretricious purity of
culture over rationalism and diversity, we turn cruel, whether or not we are conscious of it.
From an Opening Convocation Address, September 6, 2004 by Anthony W. Marx, President, Amherst College *</p>
<p>Amongst the LACs Amherst,Williams and Swat are amongs the most diverse campuses because of theire ontinuting efforts to change the profile of their students and change the perception that a college education is not just for the priviledged few. </p>
<p>williams
International 108 (students) 5.6%
Black 191 9.9%
Native american 4 0.2%
Asian 178 9.2%
Hispanic 148 7.7%
white 1302 67.4%
unknown 0 0.0%
total 1931 </p>
<p>Amherst
International 95(Students) 5.9%
Black 167 10.3%
Native american 3 0.2%
Asian 200 12.4%
Hispanic 122 7.5%
white 735 45.5%
unknown 295 18.2%
total 1617 </p>
<p>Swat
International 88 (students)6.1%
Black 96 6.6%
Native american 13 0.9%
Asian 233 16.1%
Hispanic 96 6.6%
white 732 50.7%
unknown 186 12.9%
total 1444 </p>
<p>Amherst has made a concerted effort for along time to increase diverisity across the board ethinic, geographical, economic, first generation as the school believes that it helps to enrich the college experience for all.</p>