I saw other threads that discussed this topic but they were from 5+ years and I wanted some current perspectives. I’m a Cuban immigrant, by the way.
So, do you guys think being an immigrant helps? If so, by how much?
Do you think it’s fair for immigrants to be treated differently in the admissions process?
It may help if you are full pay. I don’t think immigrants ARE treated differently in the admissions process. Colleges always like full pay students. Some colleges (usually privates) try to amass a class with a broad range of viewpoints, from different locations. That is where being an immigrant may help. Otherwise, no.
If you are currently a citizen, it probably means nothing. If you aren’t, it will work against you.
@"Erin’s Dad" @CaliCash I see. I hadn’t thought of the full-pay bit of it. Would this apply to need-blind schools too?
I was thinking of it boosting your chances more along the lines of diversity. Say, an applicant that checks off Hispanic but is only 1/4 Mexican vs. an applicant that was born in Mexico, immigrated to the US at a young age and is now a citizen. Both applicants would have lived very different lives as URMs.
It might boost you chances in the same way it boosts the chances of any applicant overcomes significant obstacles to achievement. It will depend on the obstacles and the level of achievement.
Exactly how would applying with undocumented immigrant status be a disadvantage? Perhaps only in terms of financial aid not being met. But as far as the acceptance (unless the college has limited number of available spots available to international students and they considered you an international applicant). There are states that consider
undocumented students residents of their state and allow them to apply and receive resident tuition.
@CaliCash hat do you mean by “it will work against you”. I’m an African immigrant and I’m not a US citizen. I’m a permanent resident, and that’s legal. I have documentation, so how can that hurt me? I’ve lived in the US since I was 8.
Sorry for bumping this months-old thread, but I found some (sort of) new information dealing with this subject that I feel may help future lurkers.
Through the recent FERPA situation, Duke’s The Chronicle revealed that first-gen immigrant status IS something AOs take into consideration. It’s something AOs take note of, along with economic diversity, LGBT, and first-gen college status.So it clearly doesn’t mean “nothing,” at least for Duke. I can’t find the article at the amount, but it was posted about a month ago.