<p>Of course a system is needed that defines merit in a manner affected by social factors. I think what master0fbalances is trying to say is (and i agree) that *only *social factors should be factored into merit. </p>
<p>There should be no double standards in which all URM candidates (even if wealthy) benefit from "social factors" while non-URM candidates get no benefit from "social factors" regardless of their family and socioeconomic situations. In other words, for most universities, the term "social factor" is basically a more acceptable way of saying "racial factor".</p>