<p>Just out of curiosity, how do colleges know/how much do they care how "Black" someone is... I mean it seems almost silly, but I think that even though I am not as dark as some African Americans, I am ethnically African-American, and I definitely don't look caucasian. </p>
<p>So my question is--what is the point of AA? Is it to have more dark people on campus or compensate for societal disparities when it comes to the treatment of people of color versus white people? Additionally, what is the litmus test colleges apply to determine an URM's racial "purity" (i know this sounds terrible), if at all?</p>
<p>i think colleges simply want more diversity on campus- they figure you will learn more outside the classroom if you converse with people of different backgrounds and cultures. on your transcript go for african american, you deserve it!</p>
<p>ramses88, just a heads-up: AP photography does not exist. AP art does, but I'm really not sure why photography has not been made into an AP exam yet. </p>
<p>Nonetheless, I'd love to see your photos! I love photography.</p>
<p>The African-American question is an interesting one. I'm half black and half white, and I have never considered myself one or the other, only mixed or biracial, but I have a counselor at school who insists I check "African-American" on every test and whatnot so that I get better URM status. It actually annoys me, but I guess society considers me black as well...</p>
<p>You have a good chance IMO, your ECs are definitely stellar, just work on improving your GPA and scores a bit. Try not to let some of these responses waver your opinion of yourself... I think there are a few jealous people in here... Good luck!</p>
<p>(crappy, i know--retaking in october)
keep in mind that I didn't study <em>at all</em> this time around, but i am going to study over the summer and retake in october.</p>
<p>here's a narrowed down list</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Harvard (early, w/ rec from retired professor, dad received MA, PhD from there) - i know this is a long shot so don't remind me unless you have something constructive to add</p></li>
<li><p>UChicago</p></li>
<li><p>Boston College</p></li>
<li><p>UPenn</p></li>
<li><p>University of Washington</p></li>
<li><p>Middlebury</p></li>
<li><p>NYU</p></li>
<li><p>Northwestern</p></li>
<li><p>UC Berkeley/LA</p></li>
<li><p>Georgetown</p></li>
</ol>
<p>EDIT: see 1st post for the rest of my stats</p>