<p>I'm looking to apply to colleges this coming year, and I'm hoping to apply to the top tier. My family is from a group of islands in the Pacific called Tonga. Many of my relatives and people from the islands don't really come to the U.S., and if any do they usually stay on the West Coast. Me and my family live in PA and we're basically the only Tongans around here. I was wondering if it would look good that not only are we uncommon in this country but we're extremely uncommon where I live. Also would I be considered an URM? I'm a Pacific Islander, but sometimes I'm still grouped in with the Asians who are over-represented. I know colleges look for diversity, but I'm just wondering how helpful a Pacific Islander status would be in college applications?</p>
<p>Please don’t double post.</p>
<p>You are definitely a URM. The Asians who are not considered URMs are often East Asians (China, Japan, and Korea). On your application, explicitly state that you are a pacific islander applicant. Then, it’ll definitely help. However, don’t rely on being a URM too much. ou still need to have good enough grades and extracurriculars. Another way to tell the college of your ethnicity is to choose to write about it for your essay. Maybe some social hurdles perhaps?</p>
<p>Good luck with your applications.</p>
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<p>Go to the CA and read the racial categories that are provided.</p>
<p>It depends on the college as to whether a given group is considered URM, if that is a consideration at all.</p>
<p>Yeah sorry about that double post I’m still new to this site. I’m not going to depend on my ethnicity, but I thought it might be a good way to stand out. And thanks for the feedback guys.</p>
<p>yes you do</p>
<p>however some colleges will list you as Asian! Uh oh good luck</p>