<p>This is a question for the college acceptance staff members out there:</p>
<p>How would an applicant who is an Under Represented Male (URM) that can pay his way 100% present this fact to the admissions people in an applicaton or essay? Do you think it would help set im apart from other URMs?</p>
<p>Assuming you’re a domestic student (i.e. US Citizen), most colleges do not factor financial need into admissions. In other words, being able to pay 100% vs. 10% doesn’t really matter, with one exception–the exception referred to in the article you mention. This exception is “development” cases–students whose families are expected to contribute lots and lots of money. Just being able to pay all of your tuition and being rich enough to be development material are two very different things.</p>
<p>Also, URM generally stands for underrepresented minority, not male. </p>
<p>My advice (although I’m no admissions staff member) is to have this young man focus his essays on showing how he could be a great addition to the schools he is applying to, and not worry about trying to distinguish himself through the avenue you suggest.</p>
<p>If there is a box/space for indicating if he is applying for financial aid- don’t check it. Since he has money he likely has the best education available in his presumably at least middle class area, his stats will reflect this advantage over poor minorities who lack the middle class advantages. Being an URM he may need lesser stats than nonURMs for admission since the reasons for fewer URMs are usually a lack of academic opportunities. Someone could question why he didn’t do as well as he could given family resources if they realize his lack of financial need- he wouldn’t want admissions commitees to focus on that. Also- definitely do not focus on money in the essay as that would only take away from other facets of himself he could impress people with and may backfire, as above. When considering schools he should remember to compare his stas to the regular student body- he is likely meeting his potential in HS, unlike some who have more ability than their schooling will help them achieve. Being a minority his essay could address that fact, especially if he was an URM in his HS. Also not on admissions staff.</p>