<p>Another thought, not as well researched, nor with quotes to back it up, is the increase, I believe, in the number of and the number reporting their race/ethnic origin as bi or multicultural. I have read that this is the fastest growing group in the age bracket below 30.</p>
<p>I've read that the state I live in has more "interracial" marriages (and thus more children who might have considerable doubt about how to fill out an ethnic self-identification form) than any other state but Hawaii. But the overall national trend in the United States is for there to be more "interracial" marriages everywhere, including in states where such marriages were illegal within my lifetime. We're all part of the same human race, and people fall in love without regard to ethnicity every day.</p>
<p>Way back in 1968, a national black leader (was it Julian Bond? not sure) spoke to our high school assembly. During Q & A he was asked what he thought of interracial marriage. He said "Well, if two people fall in love..." and was interrupted by a spontaneous standing ovation (except for one popular girl, a recent transfer from the south with an adorable accent, who walked out).</p>
<p>good for them! that affirmative action is bs. race should be NO FACTOR. everyone has teh same opportunity...therefore making it UNEQUAL opportunity.</p>
<p>^ur statement is quite flawed. anyway, I just don't wanna start another debate on relevance (or irrelevance) of affirmative action.</p>
<p>There are a lot of countries around the world that have various forms of policies that make distinctions among the inhabitants of the country on the basis of ethnic affiliation. Carefully examining other policy examples can better inform policy in the United States.</p>
<p>Seriously? Using something like race to increase your chances at getting into a college, that's just nuts. I want to go to a good college as much anyone, but I want to get in because of me, not because of my ethnicity or because I can remember a lot of useless facts. That just seems really messed up to me. Frankly, if I knew a university was selecting based on race, I just wouldn't apply.</p>
<p>Now if it has something to do with "Oh, she's an amazing musician" or "He's in high school and he's a fairly accomplished journalist" (personally hoping for the later as it hits rather close to home), that's something I could go with.</p>
<p>Please someone, restore my faith in the high education system.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Frankly, if I knew a university was selecting based on race, I just wouldn't apply.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Ok... then your list would be narrowed down to:</p>
<p>Caltech
Harvey Mudd</p>
<p>And that's it. Sorry, dude, this is how college admissions works. It's ridiculous, I know. If you're a minority and you don't want to be judged by race, just apply as white or refuse to say (but they'll take you as Asian if you mark this). I'm Native American/white, and I could've easily gotten in everywhere as a Native American, but I decided to apply as white.</p>
<p>But hey, you don't have to worry about it in graduate school. Fortunately, if you're a PhD candidate, they're going to pay your way (and then some), so they're not going to be biased on race when admitting applications. It's how MIT has 16% undergraduate minority population and a 2% graduate minority population.</p>
<p>Damn, that sucks (though I was planning on applying to Caltech). I'm white so I suppose it doesn't really matter, I just don't like to think that someone has any more or less of a chance just because they are a certain ethnicity.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm Native American/white, and I could've easily gotten in everywhere as a Native American, but I decided to apply as white.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I doubt you actually belong to a present day tribe, that's the only way you can apply as Native American. Any other "real" native american would be happy to mark 'native american' on their application.</p>
<p>I belong to the Cherokee tribe, actually.</p>
<p>I also have a Hispanic friend who refused to state his race (he's incredibly anti-AA) who got rejected from MIT, but he's now at Harvey Mudd. Race really does play a huge role in today's admissions.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm white so I suppose it doesn't really matter, I just don't like to think that someone has any more or less of a chance just because they are a certain ethnicity.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This is the sad racist reality in which we live. I tutored a black person and he got into MIT, whereas I got rejected. I'm just glad that I'm past all that, although I'll continue to criticize AA, as I think it's a horrible breach on equality.</p>
<p>That's not what a hook is, but assuming you want to discuss minority status in college applications, I don't see a problem with universities trying to create a qualified and diverse student body.</p>
<p>Getting rejected from a university doesn't mean you're a bad student, per se, or undeserving of a great education; it rather just means that you're not the best fit for the shoe.</p>
<p>I can understand getting rejected if you a bad student, however your RACE? Something you cannot change, something you are stuck with from birth? no, that's just screwed up.</p>
<p>MODERATOR'S NOTE TO "What is a hook?" THREAD: </p>
<p>Because this is really an affirmative action thread with an unclear thread title, I will merge it into the FAQ thread about ethnic self-identification on college applications, which has been quiet for a while. This is in accord with the wishes of the many CC participants who don't like to see tedious affirmative action threads all over CC.</p>
<p>I can commiserate with the sense of disenfranchisement, but I think you're better off considering that you weren't rejected because of your race, but because there were a whole host of other members of your race that were just that much better than you.</p>
<p>^^ Yes, people who designate any which ethnicity get admitted, including those who designate none at all, and people who designate any which ethnicity get rejected, unless they apply to one of the majority of colleges that admit anyone with a heartbeat and a check. As long as more applicants try to cram into a few highly desired colleges than those colleges have room to admit, someone will be unhappy, but not everyone has a clear idea why he or she didn't get into his first choice college.</p>
<p>I don't see why theirs such a big clamor against integration? (which is at the root what affirmative action is)</p>
<p>I'm half expecting chants to break out "two, four, six, eight, we don't wanna integrate!!!" </p>
<p>The pool of black hispanic and native american students as a whole isn't as "overqualified" as other groups, largely as a result of society up until 35 years ago, and integrating education is honestly the best way to rectify the gross disparities along racial lines. </p>
<p>People very well could have made this argument, and are beginning to today, when we bussed in inner city kids from segregated neighborhoods into the nicer white school districts. </p>
<p>Whether intentionally or knowingly so, the whole opposition to integration is fundamentally racist</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I'm not for segregating education. I'm against AA at elite universities as it is simply unfair to hardworking caucasians and asians.</p>
<p>I think the UC system has it right. </p>
<p>At Berkeley, between : 4.0, 2100 Asian/Caucasian with great ECs
3.7, 2000 Black/Hispanic with good ECs</p>
<p>The Asian/Caucasian will get in. It's not like the URM candidate will not go to college; they may end up at UC San Diego, a very good school. They will get a great education. But the more qualified student will be admitted to the more selective institution.</p>
<p>At any Ivy League or other highly selective university, the URM candidate with above stats will almost always be accepted over the Asian/Caucasian. That isn't acceptable to me. All schools should switch to AA based on socioeconomic factors. This will help kids of all races who have been in bad educational programs and schools, as they are usually from poor families.</p>
<p>All schools should switch to AA based on socioeconomic factors. This will help kids of all races who have been in bad educational programs and schools, as they are usually from poor families.</p>
<p>This actually seems to help Asians the most. In general, Asians value education more than any other group; it's a strong part of their upbringing. So Asian poor end up with generally higher grades and test scores than other poor. But after many years, there may be fewer Asian poor as a result, such that the strategy may then help other groups. All of this subject to future immigration trends.</p>
<p>Well if it helps poor Asians the most, then so be it. The ones who make the most of their situation should be most rewarded.</p>