<p>I don't really want to be one of those "minorities" who think they deserve a better chance to attend a top level school like Harvard, we don't. Everything should be equal.</p>
<p>But nonetheless, is there a significant bias toward those who are "self-made"?</p>
<p>For example, my parents make about 40,000 a year. And are Asians still considered minorities? :D</p>
<p>Asians are minorities yes, but they are not underrepresented at top schools, so it will not really help you as far as college admissions is concerned.</p>
<p>But being low-income will. If you can find a way to squeeze that into ur essays, it might give you a leg-up.</p>
<p>^^</p>
<p>ya but don't they want rich parents so they won't have to give you fin aid?</p>
<p>Yes, but they also want poor people because it adds to the diversity of the class. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if they want poor people so they feel they are making a difference in the world, so to speak, by giving them opportunities normally out of reach of poor people.</p>
<p>If they have an app who's parents make like 200,000 a year and one that makes like 40,000 --- They'll probably pick the 40,000---- Because for Harvard, students who's parents make between like 100-200 grand a year is considered "average." Maybe even higher. So unless your parents can afford to donate like 10,000,000 + It's not going to help.</p>
<p>Let's say that you once were underpriviledged but soon your parents got enough money and earned a good salary (70,000). In an essay if you focus on the poor and financial adversity of the past although hinting that finally things got better (it would be relevent to a certain topic) would colleges subconsciously think "POOR and underpriviledged" since they are SUPPOSED to do admissions need blind. Do you think that they will know the concrete amount your parents make despite the claimed need blind?</p>
<p>Woah is 70,000 and really 60,000 because my mom got backpay which is only for one year be considered poor still ...200,000 that's a lot!</p>
<p>I don't quite understand what you mean in your comment about need-blind admissions, but that only means that they will not count your ability to pay (or more correctly, inability to pay) against you. That doesn't mean they won't take into consideration your income. They can find out whether you're poor or rich by seeing whether you've used a fee waiver, whether your parents have gone to college, how much money they donate if they're alumni, where you live (I believe Harvard in the past tried estimating income by zip code), etc.</p>
<p>$70,000 is not poor by any means. Being poor enough for "low income" to be an advantage means a family income of $40,000 or less; an income of that amount also qualifies you for a fee waiver, depending on family size.</p>
<p>Personally, I would not really think of "poor and underprivileged" if I read an essay where the writer talks about how life has improved, that is, he's no longer poor and underprivileged.</p>
<p>What about 47 K?</p>
<p>Depends on the number of the people in the family. But the easiest guideline to follow is this: Can you use a fee waiver or not?</p>