Looking for first-generation/low-income oppurtunities

[dobby]

<p>

Sorry, but I agree with Prof X. Grad programs simply don’t need to care about diversity - grad students need to accomplish research and teach classes, and that’s pretty much it. Cynical people will refer to them as drones. Because of that, grad programs just focus on merit.

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<p>WHAT?!?</p>

<p>You think grad programs “just focus on merit”? How did you come to THAT conclusion? It’s astoundingly clear to me that large numbers of grad programs, for purposes of admission, care about research potential, research fit, connections, and diversity + other minor issues. Virtually every major US university I can immediately think of seems to actively desire some sort of consideration of diversity in graduate admissions. </p>

<p><a href=“http://merrill.ku.edu/IntheKnow/policyarticles/stewart.html[/url]”>http://merrill.ku.edu/IntheKnow/policyarticles/stewart.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://socialwork.bc.edu/admission/affirmative-action/[/url]”>http://socialwork.bc.edu/admission/affirmative-action/&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“Temple University Graduate School”>Temple University Graduate School;
<a href=“http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/diversity/underrep.shtml[/url]”>http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/diversity/underrep.shtml&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.yale.edu/graduateschool/diversity/index.html[/url]”>http://www.yale.edu/graduateschool/diversity/index.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.osu.edu/affirmative_action/[/url]”>http://www.osu.edu/affirmative_action/&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/diversity.htm[/url]”>http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/diversity.htm&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.diversity.umich.edu/about/[/url]”>http://www.diversity.umich.edu/about/&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.academic.umn.edu/equity/[/url]”>http://www.academic.umn.edu/equity/&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/prospective_students/minority_students.php[/url]”>http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/prospective_students/minority_students.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Stanford is particularly open about its efforts at diversification:</p>

<p>

For well over thirty years equal opportunity and affirmative action in the recruitment of faculty, staff, and [graduate] students have been integral components of the University’s agenda for diversity.

</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/DoR/GSH/Sec3p.html[/url]”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/DoR/GSH/Sec3p.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Surely diversity plays some role in graduate admissions. </p>

<p>

Grad applicants can’t use “diversity experiences” as an excuse like undergrad applicants can.

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<p>Uh…go read the book “Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way Into the Graduate School of Your Choice” and others like it and tell me if you still think that’s the case.</p>

<p>

If the applicant has a less-than-stellar GPA, diversity excuses won’t get them in.

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<p>I’m not too sure that’s the case. I know of plenty of URM grad students who had less-than-stellar GPAs, got in, and flunked out.</p>

<p>

Grad programs only care about one “wow” factor - your ability to do research. Period. They are very, very single minded in that regard.

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<p>NO NO NO. Grad schools care about a combination of factors: research potential, research fit, connections, diversity, etc.</p>