<p>AA as it applies to elite university admissions is for the purpose of achieving diversity. It not only applies to race but geographic, athletic, economic and other categories.</p>
<p>My understanding of applications of AA are using a quota system whereby the target admit class would have a minimum of certain categories of students. For instance if we use the athletic category as an example - it's less emotional but still carries the stigma of admission "only because your an athlete".</p>
<p>What we find is that within this category football players are competing with other football players regardless of other categories and probably the admission SATs/GPA thresholds are lower because in general football players don't have the same stats as non- football players admitted to the university. The football player who has the stats of the non-football student is similarly stigmatised as he 'only got in because of football', but like the comparitive student he has a good EC, his football. For other athletes it can be more discriminatory, say for the fencing team, the fencer is not competing with the football player but a few other fencers and there may not be a need this year. Similar fates may fall upon the oboe player etc. you get my drift.</p>
<p>What I am trying to say is that anyone who thinks anyone admitted who could appear to be an URM admittee has not kept out the non-URM candidate but probably another URM candidate. That individual has some qualities that appeal to the admitting panel. With quotas they may not be reached or could be exceeded dependent on the application pool. </p>
<p>For whatever reason anyone is admitted no-one should rush to judgement as to a special categorisation of the individual but accept them for who they are and what it is that the University has seen that this person brings to the college experience.</p>