<p>NorthStarMom, I wrote a "sob story" in the supplement section about how I came out to my mom and stepdad and my stepdad threw me out of the house, causing me to live in an abandonned movie theatre. But, I also put what I took from the experience (basically, it concluded that "I know I have to make something of myself, etc etc.). Also, I'm not riding on it, just presenting it as it did help to shape me. I do A+ work (not many APs at my school before senior year [3, actually, but I did take one of them], but this year we have a few more and I've filled my schedule with them; prior years are Honors), the resources at my school are limited but I make the best of them, teacher recs show this (calling me resourceful, passionate, humorous, naturally intellegent and creative, and a strong leader). I don't have many ECs AT SCHOOL because the school doesn't have many and the ones we do have charge hefty yearly dues because of budget cuts; but, I did fill my time with outside activities (made my own garage band, grund work, etc.). I taught myself Spanish because of the growing Hispanic population, and can speak it pretty fluently. My SAT I, though, is 670M, 600V, 610W the first time and 610M, 560V, 540W the second (the decline was due to a new medication, and I outlined it in my app). My Personal Statement on the Common App is a bit different from my "impoverished, gay, crappy school" persona: it shows my humorous side and not just "poor me" (I wrote a Hugh Galagher-esque essay, listing obviously fake events but concluding with a funny punchline). I guess the best phrases for me would be: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade," and "Laugh a little."</p>
<p>I am white, but really poor. Do you think that despite my SATs, I still fair some shot (not asking for a "guarantee" or "shoe-in" as I know this is impossible to determine) with what I described above? I know everyone has a shot, but do you think I will stand out somewhat while not sounding like "oh, poor me"?</p>
<p>That is not true at all. I remember reading on this forum somwhere that according to the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, the overall acceptance rate for black applicants to Harvard is under 17%. Considerably higher than the overall rate, but nothing close to 80%. I'd imagine a similar figure for other minority groups.</p>
<p>The only school I know of that accepts nearly 80% of minority applicants is Middlebury College.</p>
<p>There has to be at least 100 Puerto Ricans applying EA because there are only about 32 enrolled if you use statistics. RD may be more but EA is probably not much....I hope!</p>