<p>1MX I found that post a little insulting to be honest, not the "average kid, mindless Ec's thing", there will be people who disagree with that.</p>
<p>I took offense to this:
"Sure you're black, but would anyone reading your application have any idea that you were black? Look at all of your opportunities with EC and sports. Tennis? Please, you won't be given minority status. I guarantee your family income is 100k+ a year. If so, you won't even be considered a minority. A MINORITY black would be your stereotypical inner city kid living on the poverty line, or a poor immigrant from Africa."</p>
<p>I found that to be one of the most racially ignorant, stereotyped, racially charged post I have ever read on this board. Your obviously entitled to say whatever you want, but that kind of comment strikes me as racist. Please refrain from abrasive comments like that.</p>
<p>I can't imagine that these admission officers are stupid people; they understand that people of any race come from a variety of backgrounds. To classify blacks as stereotypical inner city kids or poor immigrants is not only disgusting, it is wrong. </p>
<p>Keep in mind the fact that a URM is a URM because of factors far beyond socioeconomics, and blacks come from all walks of life. If I played football, would I be more entitled to URM status? What exactly does a Black Person's application look like? An income bracket does not corrode a culture;I am black, and I am proud. </p>
<p>I don't know what you intended, and maybe when you typed this you didn't realize the way it would come across, but I ask you to next time be mindful of what your opinions are and how they are met by others.</p>
<p>That is what they are looking for when they go by minority. As you know, they color of your skin is not enough for minority. Minority truly refers to your socioeconomical status in life. I'm not being cruel or racist, I am just stating the fact that you are the typical harvard applicant and truly do not have a significant minority plea.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I must disagree with this nonsense about minority referring to socioeconomic status:</p>
<p>"Affirmative action refers to concrete steps that are taken both to increase the representation of underrepresented and arguably underprivileged minorities and to redress the effects of past discrimination. The idea of this policy is that making sure to put discriminated minorities in positions of prestige and authority will eliminate discrimination both because it will counteract the prejudice of those who give out jobs, admit to universities, etc. and because it will demonstrate that members of those groups can accomplish great things if given the opportunity. " Wikipedia.org</p>
<p>The premise of Affirmative Action is based on racial representation, not socioeconomic representation, that's what financial aid is for.</p>
<p>But that''s not what this topic is for, Thanks for the criticism, regardless of whether or not I agree with it.</p>
<p>That's just the thing. I'm not referring to anyone in specific, but if you include that you're a URM in these chances threads, a few random bitter white kids (possibly rejected from whatever college you're being chanced for) are going to come and call you "average", and then say since you're a URM you're definitely in, as well as make a big deal about your race.</p>
<p>Tennis? Arthur Ashe, Venus and Serena Williams... nothing wrong with tennis! I second lio's post wholeheartedly. Do what you love, challenge yourself and let the chips fall where they may. I am quite sure you will get into some great colleges, but no guarantees as to which ones they'll be.</p>
<p>Thanks, now does anyone have suggestions on how to craft my resume and what I might want to cut out. I don't want a laundry list, I want a meaningful resume.</p>
<p>If you are only using common application, I'd choose 2-3 major ECs that you've had major accomplishments for, then pick another 1-2 with related, but accomplished activities (eg. if your main focus is speech, maybe you would also be involved in student leadership and government?). Lastly, put down 1-2 EC (if you have any) that's not your major passion, but are still of your interests (eg. music, art)...just to show your well-roundedness.</p>
<p>I applied using the common app. with minimal additional info (just 2 lines) and no attached resume. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>I definately think you have a great shot. U seem to be what Harvard is looking for but I think that showing passion in one area and perhaps mentioning that passion in your essay's and your interview. As far as hooks your minority status will definately help you, Harvard will care more about your race than your socio-economic status. If you are from a more affluent background then I would mention how your race has impacted this because there are completely different issues that "upper class" student's of color must face. My suggestion is to write very passionate essay's, focus on extra-curriculars that you excell in, and get reccomendations from teachers that know you and know the aspects of your application that you are highlighting. Good Luck and F*** the haters!</p>
<p>i think you would have a decent chance even without minority status but minority status will definately give you a big leg up
if you write good essays and have good teacher recs and a good interview, then you are pretty much in</p>
<p>emphasize speech and race. Financial Aid offices and Admissions are not allowed to be in contact. The only way that the Adcoms know your wealth is through parent's jobs, activities, school, or address. If you make it seem as though you are living close to poverty, you have about a 90% chance.</p>
<p>Stats are very good as it is. And you're African American, which, whether or not you actually believe helps you in the process, actually does, a LOT.</p>
<p>I know from first-hand experience, Being an African-American Male IS a card that should be played. Trust me on that one. Being black helps, be proud and use it to your advantage!</p>
<p>I don't deny that being black helps, but I'm not going to make it the focus of my essay. If it's mentioned at all, it will be mentioned in passing. They will see that I have checked off "African-American" in my box, and they will interview me. I didn't work my ass off in high school to attribute my qualifications to race. Thanks.</p>
<p>Strawboy....what? Take it to the affirmative action thread, and get your garbage out of here please.</p>
<p>Derrick I felt the same way, well I'm brown, one parent, living with a paycheck under $20K yearly and I felt bad that I'd have an advantage over others but sometimes you just gotta take advantage of every opportunity as it comes.</p>
<p>Derrick, did u work your ass off to get rejected from your dream school. Also coming from first hand experience I can tell you that race plays a huge role in college admissions. Believe it or not you are one of thousands with great test scores and ec's however your race is the "hook" that will push you over. Sometimes the whole process isn't fair but I guarantee that there are many other people that would love having that very hook. I'm not saying write your essay about how being black has held you back, but instead mention how it has impacted your life. Pretending that race doesn't exist or that this whole process isn't extremely biased is incredibly naive. In the end its your choice but why have it and not use it to your advantage.
If I could go through the admissions process again I would definately emphasize my race more, not in a negative way but instead I would show how it improved me. I'm going to a great school next year(2nd choice) but I think that I would have had a better chance at my top choice if I had been smarter with the entire process.</p>