<p>is gender considered part of affirmative action? like do some colleges favor women over men? i heard this is true with MIT Engineering because the ratio of male to women is 2:1 in applying but the accepted ratio is about equal.</p>
<p>I think it depends on the school/situation, but it is definitely considered. Most co-ed colleges, especially competitive ones, seem to be aiming for as close to 50-50 as possible. This means that in some cases either men or women will have an easier time getting in because their chances may be <em>somewhat</em> better (but in most cases not that much--although it might tip you over the edge).
Lately, this has meant that at many colleges men have a slightly easier time getting in because more women are applying, but the college wants a fairly even gender ratio.</p>