<p>I’m saying there is nothing INHERENTLY SPECIAL about an URM. If they are not low-income, if they have not faced unique obstacles, if they live in a wealth community, then they are no different than a white applicant. There is no reason that an adcom should prefer them because they add nothing to the school–they are pseudo-diversity.</p>
<p>And yet they ARE favored. Because they are statistically rare and an adcom sits up in their seat when they find an applicant that is black. It wouldn’t make sense to think this is due to AA–affirmative action shouldn’t favor students that don’t add diversity to the school.</p>
<p>This is an adcom’s bias because it’s statistically likely that he/she SAW more white students’ applications. </p>
<p>This is my opinion–and it is intended as an alternative interpretation to the stats showing more blacks get admitted. If I’m understanding your opinion, then you’re saying adcoms see a black applicant and think to themselves: “Man, I can increase Harvard’s stats from 9% black to 10%. And meet my daily quota for black admits. This is great. Finally the political pressure is off.”</p>
<p>That’s fine. We have differing opinions. Don’t pretend like all of you have stats supporting yours to a greater extent.</p>