How much does Affirmative Action affect admission?

Applying to College
1

<p>I've always been wondering this, as an African-Canadian and URM myself.</p>

<p>Like for example, if a black URM were to be in the mid-50 percentile for top schools, would that make them almost a lock to get in if they had good ECs and volunteer/work experience?</p>

<p>I'm just wondering, because this will affect my decision on where I apply and what not.</p>

2

<p>Affirmative Action can push an applicant in if they otherwise would not have been admitted. However, they do have to be academically qualified, and the admissions officers will only let in people they feel will be academically successful, or the purpose would be defeated. Affirmative Action may push in some people who are below the “average” profile at top schools, but it won’t get someone with a 1000/2400 SAT in, or anything like that.</p>

3

<p>Very, very few people are locks for top schools, and URM’s certainly aren’t in that category. Northstarmom once made a post along the lines of:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>If a black URM is in the mid 50th percentile, they have as good a shot as anyone else but they’re not a lock by any means.</p>

4

<p>You should look at the “actual results” threads. I think it helps with “sub par” SAT scores >>> a sub par GPA.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/african-american-students/896299-official-official-2014-african-american-results-thread.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/african-american-students/896299-official-official-2014-african-american-results-thread.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/african-american-students/824871-official-2014-african-american-results-thread.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/african-american-students/824871-official-2014-african-american-results-thread.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/african-american-students/638464-actual-results-thread-african-americans.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/african-american-students/638464-actual-results-thread-african-americans.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;