Does being a legacy and minority really boost your chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>I'm just wondering, disregarding stats, ec's, etc, I just want to know how much of a boost that is for me. Thanks a lot.</p>

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<p>I’m sorry I didn’t explain the situation. My mom graduated from Columbia and I’m Haitian-American (black)</p>

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<p>Yeah, I think so (at least in my personal experience). I knew a guy who graduated from my school a couple years ago with a 3.5 GPA and a 1900 SAT and went to Columbia, but he was half-Chinese and both his dad and grandpa had gone. He got deferred ED and then got in RD.</p>

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<p>Yes. 10 char</p>

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<p>Smartalec, being Chinese doesn’t help at all, unfortunately. We’re a minority, but not a URM. But Haitian is definitely a URM!</p>

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<p>If you have halfway-decent stats/recs/essays, you’ve got a really, really good chance of getting in.</p>

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<p>^really, even with a 9% acceptance rate this year? that’s 1 in 11 pretty qualified kids getting in, get real</p>

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<p>I think raychacha meant a URM legacy, not applicants in general.</p>

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<p>Agree. Huge advantage, assuming decent stats.</p>

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<p>“I think raychacha meant a URM legacy, not applicants in general.”</p>

<p>Exactly. I didn’t think it would be that difficult to figure out, considering the topic pertains to the chances of a URM legacy. Apparently I should have clarified.</p>

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<p>OK, I understand about being Chinese not being a URM. Still though. The guy was a double legacy and had the stats I posted above, so at least being a legacy in and of itself gives a big boost</p>

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<p>If you’ve got a great application and apply ED, it’s probably a good bet that you’re in.</p>

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<p>Columbia doesn’t release data on the applicant pool as a whole, but I bet that 1/2 to 2/3 of the RD applicant pool is filled with types who aren’t remotely qualified, know nothing about Columbia, apply because it’s an Ivy / in NYC, just want to see if they get in, etc.</p>

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<p>Thank you! What does URM stand for exactly??</p>

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<p>URM stands for Under-Represented Minority.</p>

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<p>Oh ok thank you!!</p>

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<p>even for URM legacy the odds are still stacked against anyone, I’m sure they are better than for the average person, but to say that you’ll walk in with decent stats is delusional.</p>

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<p>really based on what exactly? Things have changed since you applied 13 years ago, Columbia has the reputation of being an extremely selective school and this does scare people away at least based on anecdotal evidence. Even if half the applicant pool isn’t remotely qualified, which I contest, that still leaves Columbia to choose between 1 in 5-6 generally qualified kids, being a non-donating legacy hardly changes those odds and being a URM doesn’t change them too much. Together it is a noticeable advantage, but saying you have a really really good chance with half decent stats, ignores just how competitive it is to get in, in the first place.</p>

<p>I know many of us don’t like affirmative action, but let’s not overstate the relative advantages and disadvantages.</p>

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<p>Chasingstarlight just about nailed it. Reread post # 4</p>

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<p>Uh, based on interviewing, seeing posts on here, etc. It’s anecdotal obviously.</p>

<p>Plenty of people apply to CU because it’s their ‘dream school.’</p>

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<p>The kid should apply ED. ED + legacy is a big boost by most accounts, and it’s telling that CU doesn’t release its legacy numbers.</p>

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<p>no it’s not, there are tons of statistics that Columbia could release that they do not, it’s incorrect to make any conclusions simply from an absence of information, when the information about admissions is highly non-exhaustive to begin with.</p>

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<p>what about siblings? do those count as legacies? that’s my one hope for getting in :)</p>