<p>The acceptance rate for URMs might not be much higher than the average, but the applicant pool is much weaker. So those 13% at MIT have significantly worse stats than the 10% (or whatever) of Asians accepted. To say that the % acceptance for URMs is only a bit higher is deceptive and does not paint the full picture.</p>
<p>It comes down to the fact that it helps a lot, whether you like it or not. No point in whining because you can’t change it.</p>
<p>So sick of asians whining about affirmative action-get over it.Your whole argument is predicated on the infantile assumption that every person of colour admitted to Stanford gets in just because they are black?So just because a person is black that means they cannot possibly be intelligent?Only asians and whites are talented enough to attend Stanford?It is this mindless superiority complex that will keep you out of Stanford,not AA cornetking,OP and your company.</p>
<p>Most highly selective colleges care about something called context. Read about it. The accomplishments of that “mediocre” URM may look mundane to you but in his/her world, they are a thing of legends. The reason why AA is there is to give underprivileged people the opportunity to excel. In fact considering that they accomplished so much despite their often turbulent situation is more of an achievement than the 2400/4.0gpa/presidency(ies) you achieve with excessive coaching. </p>
<p>And considering how intolerant ya’ll sound right now, i wouldn’t blame the universities for rejecting you.</p>
<p>ΛCould not have put it any better myself.good job:-)</p>
<p>Talent is equally distributed among the races. Hmmmmmmmmmm. Ever seen a basketball team lately?</p>
<p>ΛLOL…the reference was to intellectual talent.Something like basketball would be more of a niche because its driven by cultural factors eg a lot of kids in the <<hood>> play <<ball in order to get their minds off their hardships.</hood></p>
<p>@kellybkk ignorant much? Most basketball players were raised in the hood = hardships= no video game consoles or other fancy gadgets that middle class kids have = something to do to get mind off hardships = basketball, Have you seen a football team lately?</p>
<p>
Ignorance, generalizations and ad hominem attacks, bravo. </p>
<p>
This would sound right if affirmative action was based entirely on socioeconomic factors. Unfortunately, that is not the case. How do you rationalize an African-American kid living in one of the wealthiest suburbs in America with 2 private tutors and his own BMW to boot receiving the benefits of affirmative action over some Chinese immigrant whose parents work at a grocery store in Chinatown earning < $30k a year? </p>
<p>So before you try and label others as intolerant, you should learn what affirmative action in the college process actually means.</p>
<p>
Academic excellence in the Asian population is very much driven by cultural factors too. In fact, that is what many supporters of AA commonly argue. Because Asian kids are all raised in this “culture of academic excellence”, those whose cultures do not often prioritize academics should receive a handicap.</hood></p>
<p>Dude the AA is not a blanket policy! Otherwise Stanford would admit way more URM’s. The Freshman Class of 2015 is 11%. The Whit and Asian component is way much larger than that!!! The AA that takes place is based entirely on Context. Hence the Asian that has overcome adversity will get in before the rich black kid! </p>
<p>Do you really believe that someone with mediocre Stats who was afforded all the opportunities to excel but didn’t will get in over the hard work, albeit wealth Asian?? if you think so, then you truly are ignorant.</p>
<p>
That’s a completely illogical conclusion to make.
What’s wrong with that?
No it isn’t. Seeing as financial aid is processed independent of the admissions process and the adcoms have no way to know about your relative wealth/parent’s income besides by zip code and occupation (which aren’t that reliable anyway), the AA policies currently in place are primarily targeting race/ethnicity.
No one is “getting in over” someone else in the strictest sense. But the mediocre stat, plenty of opportunities kid that is an URM will certainly have the added benefit of being a URM, that is undeniable. And I’m ignorant because I can provide a coherent argument with valid points whereas you provide nonsensical rambling and ad hominem attacks? That’s funny.</p>
<p>old news, get over it people</p>
<p>Well that was a meaningful response.</p>
<p>I wasn’t trying to be meaningful?</p>
<p>Fair enough. Care to respond to any of my points directed at your posts?</p>
<p>Not really, I was bored when I posted that, I dont really care</p>
<p>Good decision.</p>
<p>
Socio-economic affirmative action sounds good. The system is stacked in favor of the rich, and against the poor, and that needs to change.</p>
<p>^ I’m absolutely for socioeconomic AA. It’s only racial/ethnic AA that I disagree with.</p>
<p>MrMeursault, these complaints you have about the system don’t really materialize too often.</p>
<p>The “Chinese immigrant whose parents work at a grocery store” could probably reveal and detail his difficult circumstances in his essay. Just because they don’t ask for your family’s income doesn’t mean they can’t figure it out.</p>
<p>As for the wealthy black kid, that IS somewhat of a hole in the AA system. But honestly, how many URMs are incredibly wealthy? Anyways, there are other factors besides socioeconomic situation that go into making a URM’s life difficult. Racism is still highly prevalent in this country. Maybe that wealthy black kid didn’t have to get a job to support his family, but at the same time maybe “subtle racism” prevented him from becoming captain of the golf or polo team at the snooty country club. There are a lot of country clubs (LA country club is notorious for this, for example) that find reasons to deny membership to blacks and Hispanics. Suddenly the preppy white kid looks better with his great leadership.</p>
<p>Beyond that, diversity simply promotes a more complete college campus. Imagine if there is no AA, and a poor but brilliant black kid is one of a small handful of blacks who get in to Stanford due completely to their merit. Suddenly stepping into Hong Kong does not foster a healthy environment. URMs bring culture and diversity to a campus.</p>
<p>You can complain all you want but there’s nothing you can do about it. These “unqualified” URMs are going to keep “stealing” spots, and you probably will never understand the reasons why.</p>
<p>BillMc, I’d disagree. Stanford takes into account your socioeconomic status. Also, remember QuestBridge is all about poor people who have done extraordinary things. That’s not a bad deal for people who have overcome a lot. Sure, they’re still at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>Also, i’m actually foreign. My beginning childhood was probably very different from most Americans. Just remember that not everyone is like you.</p>