<p>Is it really true that students who live out in rural areas/small towns get special consideration from colleges? Meaning that they don't necessarily have to have as stellar test scores or ECs as somebody from the suburbs?
Or are they expected to do more "in the community"?</p>
<p>Yes, universities like to get students from underrepresented localities. Usually that means rural areas. But don't slack off because of that. You should see it was a situation where, all else being equal, a school will probably admit someone from a rural area before someone from a more commonplace locality.</p>