Do some schools have a reputation for this being a more important factor than others? I’ve posted enough specific info about S19 that I would rather not say what state he is from, but I think I can safely say it is under represented everywhere except for states we share a border with.
I’m assuming that state flagships are not really on this list, since they are geared more toward in state students, with some oos students to help pay the bills. I’m looking for top academic schools where this could be a significant tipping factor (I hesitate to say hook, as I’m not sure it rises to that level anywhere). Also at slightly less prestigious but still very good schools where merit aid is given and this could potentially help score one of those nice packages.
Thanks.
Top schools already have enough geographic diversity. The next group may “consider” it. Check the CDS for each school you are interested in.
It is a line item in CDS Section C7, separate lines for geographic diversity and state residency. I’ve looked at a lot of CDS’s and usually it’s not considered or just “considered.” There are 2 higher categories above “considered.” So I’d say at **most ** it’s a minor tweak.
When we visited Purdue they said there was one state that they almost never had anyone from and that was always an admissions goal but I can’t remember which state they said it was.
Many flagship state universities use geographic diversity within their state for political reasons. They like to have students from every county and may slightly relax standards for rural counties with few residents. As far as selective national universities, if you are not from a lightly populated state like Wyoming or North Dakota which might send 1 or 2 students to a particular university, it makes little difference.
The CDS categories for this aren’t cast in concrete. There’s no real test of accuracy for Considered vs Important. And once a kid hits finals, the consideration of his home area can matter much, maybe be a finger on the scale. Maybe. That high performing kid from an area the college would like to include, with a great app and interview, can get a long look.
Carelton, as an example, touts students from 47 states. That’s not just random, the luck of having top kids applying from nearly every state out there. When Yale says all 50 states are represented, it can reflect final forming of the class.
Where it hurts at top privates is when hordes apply from certain states, certain areas of states. They can’t take only kids from Palo Alto or Evanston.
So it could help OP’s son. But you don’t know if other good candidates have/will apply from where you are.
Since not all colleges tell how many from which states, I’m not sure how you’d know where you have a better shot at benefiting.
I get that it isn’t a huge factor. But I know that being from a rural midwestern state that they don’t see much should be a boost over taking that 10th kid from the same high school that is over represented already. Sort of the opposite of the middle class white girl from New York or California who has 50 classmates applying to the same college.
I know that when I was at NYU School of Law in the 90’s, they definitely wanted to make sure that all 50 states were represented. I know the guy from my state who graduated right before I got there, and I know the girl 2 years behind me that they took. At least at that time, admissions was very aware, and that was a top 6 program. My scores and grades were right at the median for the class, but I’m sure that I got the nod over someone with equally impressive stats from a better school, because they already had 50 New York kids in the class.
Anyway, I know NYU Law was like that in the 90’s. Just wondering who might still have that outlook.