<p>How important is geographic diversity in college admissions?</p>
<p>Geographic diversity CAN be a tipping factor - i.e., something that adds favorably to your application but that can’t really contribute heavily to an acceptance (or rejection). It matters more to some schools than others, and at some it doesn’t matter at all. Geographic diversity, like low socioeconomic status or first generation status, can negate its benefits if presented by a weak applicant. If you are an extremely strong applicant - like thousands of applicants to HYPS - from Nebraska, you may consider yourself benefited, but in reality it probably as little bearing on your application.</p>
<p>It can advantage you (Nebraska, Montana) or disadvantage you (tri-state area) when applying to top schools. The advantage may be slight, but it exists–colleges want to broadcast that they have kids from “all 50 states and the district of Columbia,” so if you’re one of 10 kids vying for a spot from Montana, your chances are better than the poor soul from Boston.</p>