<p>Does being from somewhere where there aren't as many people applying to HYPS help you get in?
For instance, only a few (5 or so out of around 500-600) of students at my high school will even apply to HYPS. </p>
<p>I'm from Arkansas and I was just wondering if they take into account geography when deciding who gets accepted/rejected. </p>
<p>Any thoughts??</p>
<p>My Georgetown interviewer basically told me I'd have a better chance if I were from Wyoming and not California, so I think it matters a little bit.</p>
<p>Really?? That seems a bit unfair to the NY/NJ/CA people</p>
<p>Does that apply to HYPS and other highly competitive schools as well?</p>
<p>Yes it does help</p>
<p>Does this still count with international apps?</p>
<p>Yes, smile, it applies to most top schools. They want diversity and, unfortunately for those of us from overrepresented states, that means it's slightly easier for people from states that send fewer people to top schools.</p>
<p>So if you have pretty decent SAT scores/GPA/recommendations/essays, you have a chance at HYPS if you're from Arkansas but not as much if you're from overrepresented states?</p>
<p>Does the fact that I'm also Asian count against me in the process since so many smart Asians with really great scores apply to those schools? Or does it not matter that much..</p>
<p>Yes, being from Arkansas could give you an edge over a comparable applicant from, say, Massachusetts or New York because so many applicants come from those states. And yes, one could argue that being Asian could be detrimental too (same with Caucasian), there are also advantages to being an underrepresented minority.</p>
<p>It's all about diversity.</p>
<p>There most likely not going to overlook huge differences in qualifications because of race/geographic region, but it could be the deciding factor between two similar applicants.</p>
<p>I'm Asian but from Arkansas not California.
So I'm pretty balanced? Not much of an advantage or disadvantage?</p>
<p>Asians generally have a disadvantage.</p>
<p>What geography does is if they have two very similar applicants and one spot for them, then they will look at geography, race, etc</p>
<p>They put people in different regions in different piles.</p>
<p>SmallCollegesFTW- Do Asians have more/less of a disadvantage than Caucasians? or around the same?</p>
<p>mydixiewrecked- I didn't know that! Do you know that for a fact?? </p>
<p>THank you guys so much!</p>