Ethnicities and nationalities in MIT, do they affect admission?

<p>Hello everyone :)
MIT, like most universities, has a very multicultural student population. However, since they are so selective on the international pool, there might not be some nationalities missing. In case an applicant has one of those nationalities, will he be at an advantage compared to the others applicants (like URM for US citizen)?</p>

<p>Not necessarily. Nationality is more context to your story. Sometimes it can be a useful piece of context, sometimes it doesn’t really mean much. I wouldn’t bank on that being a hook for you.</p>

<p>In the past, MIT’s position to fill holes in its diversity has been to recruit harder in those areas rather than selectively lowering admit standards. </p>

<p>I’m not aware of that position having changed.</p>

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<p>Somehow, I don’t think MIT will miss not having an Irish person. Not that I’m against Irish people, but you are using “nationality” as shorthand for people with below average opportunities that have been able to excel. If that is your story (“context” as Piperxp said), then that can be compelling. If you live in a poor country with horrible schools, but are from a wealthy family that hired excellent tutors, well, that story is not so compelling.</p>

<p>This may be a helpful read: [Putting</a> Diversity into Context | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/which-box-should-i-check]Putting”>Putting Diversity into Context | MIT Admissions)</p>