how much do these help?

<p>i've been reading on these boards that colleges view applicants under different lights if they are urm, for example. Well, I was curious, how do they view low socio-economic status (below poverty line, living in low-income housing) or first generation college student? If someone has more than one of these or all of these, does it make a big difference?</p>

<p>anyone have a clue if these give an applicant any advantage?</p>

<p>They'll definitely have to put a student living below poverty ahead of other applicants for financial aid. I'm guessing that they would see poverty students in a different light, since they probably have been deprived of certain educational opportunities. Therefore, they would probably lower the standards. </p>

<p>Also, if you are a first-generation student from a foreign country, then they will not take into account your SAT verbal score as much (because they are aware that it would be hard for a person whose mother tongue is not English). However, they will compare the SAT math score to those of American students.</p>

<p>Yes, a first generation URM who lives in poverty and goes to a below average school will be looked at differently. You could apply to schools where you are in the bottom 25% as reasonable reaches.</p>

<p>I do crew, and have been told that it can help you get into top colleges, but I'm wondering if that is really true. And if it is true, how much does it help you to get in?</p>

<p>You need to talk to the crew coaches at the schools you are interested in. It will only help you if the coaches want to recruit you to row at thier school.</p>