<p>Especially for and African American applying to Cornell Arts and Sciences? Also how does it look if your African American with a 2300 SAT score.</p>
<p>An URM with a score like that (and comparable grades) would basically be able to attend any school. Subject tests are only required by a small subset of schools. Check the web sites to find out if they are needed. </p>
<p>Yeah for Arts and Sciences at cornell 2 subject test are needed , so im planning to ace them , also with a 2300 on my SAT and i have a national award . But is an 85 and up gpa comparable with a rigorous curriculum (5 Aps and college classes ) @Erin’s Dad @Erin’sDad</p>
<p>An 85 average is pretty low for this school</p>
<p>yeah but I am black and first generation . You think that they will take a chance on me ? Does Cornell ever take a chance on some applicants by admitting them , with lower stats . what SAT score will combat an 85 GPA . @Anniebeats</p>
<p>This is why I think the current affirmative action system is complete ■■■■■■■■. OP doesn’t even say he had a tough childhood or that his poverty prevented him from having opportunities his peers had. He simply says “but I am black and first generation” as if that should automatically excuse his mediocrity. As if two factors over which he had 0 control over should somehow be able to explain the result of his choices and actions. And the sad thing is, it does work in the current system. Certain people are given clear advantages where none belongs, all for the color of their skin. </p>
<p>First of all , have you ever thought that there is a logic behind the reason for why being " black and first generation" , is actually working to some advantage . Maybe you need to read a newspaper and a history book . In these two valuable documents you will see that most African Americans and other minorities , have faced many injustices in history , example slavery . African Americans still face the cruelties of slavery , the Jim crow laws and other injustice laws . This is where socio economics plays a role !!! This is why colleges want a blend of students on the socio economic ladder! Colleges also want first generation students that where not privileged with there parents holding degrees . I could say much more on this topic , but I will let you figure out why it is "working " on your own .May be you should call up colleges and ask why ? Ask the supreme Court why? @kei04086</p>
<p>While an 85 average is low, very few African Americans and other URMs get a sat score as high as you recieved. If you were white or asian you probably would not have such a good shot but being as you are, I say you have a solid shot at acceptance. You honestly can get a few ivy league acceptances if you were to pursue those, and do not let those who feel the need to put down your accomplishments due to anger or jealousy to get in your way… Take what you can get from life and do not feel bad because if others had your position you best believe they would do everything in their power to give themselves their best chance at a successful life. Best of luck.</p>
<p>The Jews went through the holocaust. Japanese went through internment. Even Catholics were persecuted in colonial times. Why are these groups not given advantages? Oh that’s right, because the past circumstances of people with similar characteristics as you don’t necessarily define who you are today. And you know what, I’m all for having a blend of the socio economic ladder, of giving underprivileged people a chance to move up the ladder. I’m all for giving disadvantaged kids opportunities regardless of race. That is not the issue here. Did you claim to be disadvantaged? Did you say your socioeconomic status caused the decline in your grades or that your poverty prevented you from fully reaching your potential? No, you merely stated “But I’m black and first generation” as if that should give you an excuse for YOUR choices and actions. “Colleges also want first generation students that where not privileged with there parents holding degrees” I agree with you there too. If the fact that your parents didn’t go to college somehow resulted in you having less opportunities, ok you should get some leeway in admissions. But first generation does not equal disadvantaged. My parents never went to college, yet I live in a fairly well off middle class neighborhood and I’ve had the opportunities many don’t have, which is why I don’t expect my first gen status to be some sort of saving grace. </p>
<p>Funny you say I should ask the supreme court, because they already answered. They recently upheld Michigan’s ban on racial discrimination in college admissions, barring publicly funded colleges from giving “preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin”.</p>
<p>The supreme court has a history of opposing affirmative action. In Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, the supreme court found that using racial quotas was against the Equal Protection Clause. In Gratz v. Bollinger, they again found that using race as a bonus in admissions for the University of Michigan was unconstitutional. </p>
<p>Being black or hispanic or native american does not mean you are disadvantaged. It’s true that these minority groups tend to be poorer and less well off. Again, I am not against giving disadvantaged children opportunities. I am against colleges giving advantages to some people solely for the color of their skin, and not for their environment. I am against colleges using race as a way to put the diversity sticker on their pamphlets, not providing equal and fair treatment to all races just so they can say “We are proud to support diversity” in their presentations. </p>
<p>OP, make sure you have a safety you can afford in your list of schools.</p>
<p>Closing the thread. There is a separate thread for discussions of race.</p>