<p>I was recently accepted into the University of Chicago and I'm really excited because it was my top school and I'm still on cloud 9 but I have one problem. I'm black. I go to an elite private school and a lot of people including classmates and friends parents have been talking about how I only got in because of affirmative action and "black privilege." It really hurts my feelings that they don't think I could get in on my own merit. I had a fair number of extracurricular activities that I've been involved with for years, have a 32 ACT, over 650 hours of community service but a not so good GPA. In fact it was a 3.62....weighted. I know I know, but my mom is epileptic and I've had to take care of her because it's just us (excuses excuses I know I'm sorry). I visited campus 3 times, did an overnight, had an on campus interview, and applied EA showing clear interest. Anyways I'm starting to think that I didn't deserve it and that I'm taking a spot from someone else that they earned and I'm only in because I'm black. It sucks to know that my skin color is the only thing that got me in. Like they're not seeing me they're just seeing my race. So is this proof that the University of Chicago still applies the idea of affirmative action? And what should I do? I love the school and it's my dream but if I didn't earn it.....idk</p>
<p>Is race a factor in college admission? Yes, of course. But here is my input. You’ve shown that you’re a caring individual if I were to just read about your community service (assuming it’s consistent) and the fact that you cared for your mother. If I were an admission officer, and you mentioned helping your mother in some part of your app, I would understand that you had more of a struggle than the average student, which explains your “low” GPA. What if you were to take away that factor? Then, perhaps, your GPA would be a lot higher.
There is a reason why others are “talking shit”. They want to feel better about themselves in case they don’t get in. You know it’s not all just about your academics, or extracerriculars, or both! It’s everything.
Congrats on UChicago. A good school, one that you should be proud of attending that school 
Like I say, haters going to hate. Don’t let anyone bring your down and bring up the whole “oh, just cuz youre…” card. You’ve done your share of extracerriculars, studying on the ACT, and your academics (although less than some of your peers). You should be proud of your hard work.</p>
<p>Enjoy cloud nine, you got in. The press for diversity seems to be a priority this year among many top schools. What you do with this opportunity once you actually attend will be the point at which you prove whether or no you deserve it. Congratulations. </p>
<p>What should you do?</p>
<p>Do the best you can with this tremendous opportunity. Live up to the university’s standards…no, not just that, but exceed them. </p>
<p>I mean. Seriously, I think the question of whether you’ve earned something or not is irrelevant. The question is what you will do with what you have been given.</p>
<p>Some people are determined to make anything and everything political. They are locked in a certain mindset where everything good that happens to a minority happens because they’re a minority. Granted, affirmative action means that that is sometimes the case with college admissions, but not all or even necessarily most of the time.</p>
<p>Being black does not mean that you got in because you are black. If we apply that logic across the board, then what are we supposed to conclude, exactly? That the default setting for every college student is “white,” that every black applicant is undeserving, and the benevolent admissions officers only admit black students to boost their “diverse” image?</p>
<p>That’s a ridiculous idea. And it only works if you start with the assumption that black students are somehow inferior to white students. Would they have the same attitude if you were a white legacy applicant? Would they be saying that you only got in because your dad/mom graduated from that school? Some of them might, and I think it’s okay to have reservations about both affirmative action and legacy status. But you don’t see anywhere near the same amount of phony outrage over legacy admits as you do over (what may or may not actually be) affirmative action. Not even close.</p>
<p>The truth is, race does sometimes play a role in admissions, but none of us are UChicago admissions officers; none of us can say why you were admitted. What I can say is that it’s incredibly racist (and, on your part, self-defeating) to assume that it was the deciding factor in your case, or in any other case we have no direct knowledge of. The law of averages tells me that there were almost certainly less qualified white applicants than you, some of whom didn’t get in, and some of whom probably did. Every student’s set of deciding factors is different.</p>
<p>How do your test scores line up with the average at UChicago? Did you have good and enthusiastic recommenders? Don’t let jerks (not friends, obviously) convince you that you didn’t deserve to be admitted.</p>
<p>You go to an elite prep school where lots of kids are groomed to have great community service records, have a low GPA and ACT scores at Chicago’s 25th percentile. Your essay must have been awesome. </p>
<p>As a young white woman who disapproves of AA, I congratulate you on getting accepted. You have no proof either way as to race being a factor, and frankly, anyone that knows you that would say those things to your face is rude and hateful. I don’t know much about the University of Chicago, but just from a quick search, your ACT score is in the mid 50% range. Your GPA might be a bit low, but hey, like others have said, someone might have liked your essay, ECs, or something else in your app. That is more than likely the case. </p>
<p>Don’t let the rumors get you down. Just roll with it and show everybody who criticizes you that you’ve got what it takes to succeed there. </p>
<p>You were accepted because you met the academic qualifications to succeed at this school. I’m not an admissions officer but perhaps they recognized the significant responsibility you took on by helping your mother and felt you were a mature student for your age. Regardless, I agree with post #3 that what lies ahead now depends on you making the most of this great opportunity, and not letting anyone’s speculations bother you. This college has way more qualified applicants of all races than they have room for. They could choose anyone they want, and surely only choose who they think is qualified. They chose you. Congratulations. </p>
<p>@collegebound1515 </p>
<p>Congrats on your acceptance to UChicago! Adcoms saw that you had to take care of your sick mother and still flourished! </p>
<p>DD applied to 4 Ivies, she was accepted to 3. She was the only student at her inner city magnet school accepted to Yale. I think 12 kids applied. She too was made to feel like she was undeserving of her acceptance. By a girl who wasn’t in the top 20% of the class. DD was very hurt because she was not one to brag and so no one knew her stats, ECs, community service, her college classes, all of her summer programs every summer (while everyone else did the same NHPS program or did nothing at all) etc. Her essays were stellar. She is a literacy volunteer and the directors husband works for Choate as an English teacher. He read her essays for her and he only found 2 small grammatical errors. Otherwise, they were spot on. </p>
<p>Throughout high school, she worked hard, juggled lots of hats, took the toughest classes, cultivated her brand and stood out from day one. She avoided following the pack.</p>
<p>Her suite mate and her twin were both accepted to Yale. She graduated from a posh independent school in NYC. They had gone to school with the students since grade K. On move in day we chatted and she mentioned that when she and her sister received their acceptances, her lifelong friends/classmates treated them like crap. Turning their backs and said awful things about them. You could still see the hurt in her eyes. Sad. </p>
<p>You belong. Your classmates & their parents don’t know your story. They don’t know what your resume looks like. </p>
<p>My father has always said…when people show you who they are, believe them. Now you can get on with the business of life and make new friends and align yourself with those who support AND respect you. Don’t allow their negative energy to steal your glory. That would give them great pleasure!!</p>
<p>I wonder that also when a poster with no other posts writes about a controversial topic, but I err on benefit of the doubt unless more posts show otherwise. </p>
<p>I also reply because any speculation about why an applicant is admitted is just that. One can assume that reputable colleges have admissions committees that are better qualified to make admissions decisions than others who don’t know the whole picture of any applicant and are not in the position to decide. </p>
<p>Competitive colleges do not have room for all qualified applicants. This is tough and stressful for students who have worked very hard. Speculating about another applicant doesn’t help. </p>
<p>sam ram, I agree! while the issues are real, I wonder if somebody would post about feeling guilty about getting in on lower standards just for skin color. everyone knows about the diversity admissions before they apply, I can not believe someone only finds out after they get in. I find this to be a bogus post. </p>
<p>Lol. College admissions is about the only place “black privilege” exists in America. Your friend’s parents are completely ridiculous.</p>
<p>Irregardless of anyone’s thoughts on you getting into UChicago, just go. You earned it; you deserved it. Lots of kids deserve it, but you get to take the cake. </p>
<p>Don’t second guess yourself or the decision. University of Chicago chose you for all of the usual reasons; they believe that you’re a good fit, that you’ll contribute to the UChicago community and that you’ll thrive there. Congratulations!</p>
<p>It seems like you are giving those people who are saying hurtful things a lot of power over you. No one knows why applicants get into certain colleges, which of course leads to speculation. If you were admitted, the admissions staff believes that you can be successful and wants what you can bring to the school. I would go forward, work hard and show everyone what you can do with this amazing educational opportunity. I know someone in a similar situation who was admitted to the University of Chicago last year and is thriving there (at least according to his mom!)</p>
<p>I didn’t notice OPs post count. Interesting. OP has been a member since July 2013. Maybe OP has been a lurker?</p>
<p>I’m confused. You guys think that my post isn’t true? Why would I make this up? I’ve been lurking but I also forgot my password for awhile. I already knew that diversity is something a lot of colleges look for but it makes me feel like crap that I only got in because in black. I’m sorry if you think this if fake but it isn’t. This is completely true. My GPA is extremely low that’s why I was suspicious about my acceptance. And some people have been saying some pretty hurtful things and I guess I was just looking for an affirmation that I’m not a shitty person for taking a spot from someone else. I came here for support and this place sucks. But thank you to the people who answered honestly and truthfully it helped me a lot. For you others shame on you</p>
<p>The reason you’re facing this criticism is because affirmative action is so widespread that people make the mistake of assuming that any minority student who gets into a good college does so ONLY because of the AA policy. Although this isn’t true, there is no way of differentiating between which students took advantage of AA and which ones didn’t. So, although you might not have, people will probably continue to assume that you did. And if you think about it, you can’t really blame them. Some non minority students, as good as they may be, get rejected only because they aren’t as good as people OF THEIR OWN RACE. They might be better than several minority students who get in. That’s where the bitterness comes from. So, my advice for you would be to ignore people’s comments about AA and try not to be too resentful about them. Just try to view things from their shoes and I’m sure you’ll understand. Congrats on UChicago btw! 
</p>
<p>There is a pinned thread at the top of this forum where you can further discuss race and college admission. Closing thread.</p>