Urm?

<p>About how much influence does a URM ( under represented minority) have on admissions at Harvard provided they have proof and resumes similar to most applicants i.e perfect or almost perfect grades, good ACT, and Sat's, good ec's, explores a passion outside of school, etc.
I am native american and have an native american heritage card as proof. In addition i am half hispanic, so my question is-- how much will this improve my chances? I am a junior right now so i'm not applying until next year and i have a potential recommendation from a harvard alumnus however i feel that is cheating, so as you can see i possess several handicaps that could improve my chance, but by how much??</p>

<p>It's very hard to find data for a clear answer to this question. You can see a LENGTHY back-and-forth on all manner of issues regarding underrepresented minority preferences (real or imagined) at a variety of colleges in the ethnic self-identification at colleges FAQ thread, </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/441477-fastest-growing-ethnic-category-great-colleges-race-unknown.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/441477-fastest-growing-ethnic-category-great-colleges-race-unknown.html&lt;/a> </p>

<p>which is a merger of something like a dozen different CC threads that pertain to affirmative action policies in regard to various groups. </p>

<p>If you're interested in Harvard, apply. If you're a current junior, you'll know what your chances really were in about a year.</p>

<p>Aren't you on the AOPS forums as well token, i think i've seen you there, if not it's a great site for math- i love it.</p>

<p>Yes, "tokenadult" is me on this forum and on the Art of Problem solving forum. I learned about College Confidential over there, from Texas137.</p>

<p>LOL, i learned about College Confidential from one of your posts.
I'm caught in a dilemna however, whether to add the fact that i'm a double URM or not. I feel that affirmative action is unfair, however, legacy is unfair as well. Still that doesn't mean that one excuse allows all other excuses to be put forth for an unfair advantage. I don't want this to turn into a debate or anything but just in need of an opinion, i don't care if that opinion doesn't agree with my latent success.</p>

<p>Just check the ethnicity box appropriately and truthfully and there will be nothing to be guilty about.</p>

<p>
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Just check the ethnicity box appropriately and truthfully and there will be nothing to be guilty about.

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</p>

<p>Yeah, what he said. The feds ask the colleges to ask, and what you answer is up to you. What the colleges do about your answer is up to them.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I feel that affirmative action is unfair, however, legacy is unfair as well.

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</p>

<p>Two wrongs don't make a right.</p>