<p>How does race and ethnicity tie in with the admissions process? Can it be the deciding factor? If people prefer not to disclose their backgrounds, isn't it usually obvious what they are? Hypothetically, if I put my legal name as Mao Zedong...well, I bet you can guess what I am.</p>
<p>Just wondering.</p>
<p>I presume your looking for a hook?</p>
<p>If you do a search for URM (or under-represented minority) you will probably find a number of threads on this topic. Generally, race and ethnicity, if it involves a URM, is one factor that majority of colleges consider in the admission process, and, if you are a URM, you may be able to qualify for admission even though your GPA/test scores may be somewhat lower than other applicants accepted or you may be chosen over another even though the stats are otherwise equal. By state law or state policy (such as in California, Texas, some others), a number of state colleges ostensibly do not consider race or ethnicity in the admission process, although they may consider other factors such as being from poor, inner-city schools, first generation college applicant (i.e., your parents have no college education), and possibly other things. Also, some states that have rules against considering race/ethnic origin have adopted other rules they consider to be somewhat equalizers. For example, any Texas student in the top ten percent of his high school class is guaranteed admission to any texas public university or college he applies to (but not necessarily to the particular major for which he applies) regardless of his SAT or ACT scores. The belief is that therefore many URM's from poorer schools and neighborhoods will still be admitted. California has a 4% rule where someone in the top 4% of his high school class is guaranteed admission to a UC but not necessarily UC of his choice regardless of test scores.</p>
<p>As to not disclosing race or ethnicity, there have been many discussions about that particularly for Asians and the belief of many that many Asians with stellar GPA and test score get rejected on the the basis that they are an "over-represented" minority at colleges. I personally have no direct evidence that actually occurs so I cannot comment on the truth of the belief one way or the other. Yes, obvious names may be a giveaway but not all names are so obvious. However, I have also seen discussions where people mention the possibility that Asians can be identified because they are most likely the ones who will not provide the information on applications because of their concern of being rejected as an over-represented minority.</p>