<p>If i am from Somalia and have US citizenship does that make me a URM? I am aware that i am not African American.</p>
<p>If it is a hook, how big a hook is it for georgetown, cornell,upenn (wharton) & duke??</p>
<p>Yes, it is definitely a hook. It is hard to answer “how big a hook” – but if your stats are under the 50% mark for the school in standardized test scores, you should still apply. Under the 25% mark and a school is probably a reach for you, though. But your odds in the 25% - 50% range are going to be better. Not sure how else to quantify it, though.</p>
<p>I’m still a sophmore so i’m not worried about standardized tests, yet. But i am a straight ‘a’ student so that will increase my chances right?</p>
<p>Sure. But you want your tests to match your grades, since the test scores are the most standardized thing a college can look at to compare students from different high schools and locations. My advice would be to invest some time with a SAT prep book (the blue book sold by Collegeboard is a good starting place) this next summer in preparation for taking the PSAT in the fall of your junior year. </p>
<p>Also, some of the colleges you mentioned require SAT Subject Tests. You should investigate those and decide which ones you will take and when if you are planning to apply to schools that require them. Test scheduling can get kind of stressful, because a lot of students end up taking the SAT twice and also sometimes want a second shot or date for subject tests. And some students who don’t do well on the SAT also decide to take the ACT. It is a scheduling challenge sometimes. Also, note that all SAT Subject Tests are not offered on all SAT test dates, so you have to watch for that as well. You will be in the best spot if you can pretty much finish all your testing during junior year. Then you know what scores you have to work with for colleges, and leave yourself one last shot at any of them you are really unhappy with in the fall. But fall is so busy senior year, there is a lot to be said for taking care of your testing as much as possible as a junior.</p>
<p>@intparent Yah i am aware and i definitely will be prepping for the SAT I/II during the summer. Thank you for all the help and advice! :)</p>
<p>I think being Somalian would be an even larger hook than just AA. What intparent said is right, you stand a larger chance of admission in the 25%-50% range than most kids.</p>
<p>Yes, this would be a hook. It’s also something that can be a compelling personal story for your essays, depending on your circumstances. As others have said, make sure your standardized tests are in line with your grades–it’s good you’re starting to think about this now, when there’s still a good amount of time. Did you take the PSAT this year? If so, that can give you an idea of what you have to do ITO preparation.</p>
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<p>No, i haven’t taken the PSAT this year because i attend a British School which doesnt administer the American standardized tests. But i do plan to take it next year at the local american school to see if i can qualify for the National merit scholarship.</p>
<p>Yes, with the rampant progressive movement we have today along with widespread reverse discrimination, I’d say being black is a hook.</p>
<p>For the Private Universities it definitely is a hook. For some public schools such as the UC System, it isn’t.</p>
<p>Okay thanks for the info. I have one more question if you guys don’t mind</p>
<p>Let’s say i get over 2150 on my SAT and over 700 on my SAT II’s, get really good AP/A level scores/marks but have weaker extracurriculars (as in not as much leadership because i might move this year to the american school, but i do have the highest leadership position i can obtain for my age group in my school duringfreshmans/sophmore year). With my URM status will be extremely hard to get into any ivy league or top 10 school?</p>
<p>bumpbump bump</p>