<p>I was reading on the forums and someone said if you make yourself to require more aid, it might show you as coming form a lower socio-economic class. That adds to "diversity" and increases your chance.</p>
<p>Disregarding that, what does diversity mean?</p>
<p>Let's suppose I grew up in Iran during a civil war and speak several languages. Am I diverse? (sorry. just want an idea)</p>
<p>The biggest aspect of diversity is UMR, basically latinos, blacks and native americans.</p>
<p>Iranian makes you white I believe so speaking another language helps a little but by itself that isn’t too much. You really need to showcase unique life experiences. </p>
<p>Okay. Being Iranian doesn’t make you white though does it? Not that I’m from Iran but my race is of a similar nation.</p>
<p>I think bomerr means that it makes you white in terms of what you would have to label your race as, unless there is an “other” option. If you could somehow weave that into your essay and how it makes you “you” or gives you motivation or something like that, I would count it as diversity.</p>
<p>The distinction is that sometimes Middle Eastern people want to mark AA because their background is from northern Africa, but the AA designation is for racially black people, not all people from that continent.</p>
<p>For colleges with need aware admissions, needing/applying for FA can hurt your chances for acceptance. </p>
<p>My problem is I grew up in an area where bomb blasts every few months was not unheard of. That said… I come from a fairly wealthy family (in reference to the country of my origin). I’m not sure how I can 'use" this diversity. I mean, would it just sound bad and a bit over the top if I start saying how life was tough because of terrorism? Or would it be a good thing that I “overcame” these obstacles? </p>
<p>My point is, do they care about any other type of diversity or is diversity mainly being Black/Hispanic (i.e locally in America)?</p>
<p>That, in itself, isn’t what diversity is about. It’s not the fact of being from a strife torn area, like some check box.<br>
Best way to “use” this is to get empowered. </p>
<p>So diversity does not actually mean diversity when it comes to colleges? </p>
<p>Because “showing a great deal of variety; very different.” is the actual definition. </p>
<p>You’re getting confused. </p>
<p>Diversity as it pertains to URMs are Institutional needs/wants. In that respect, your background does not qualify under the definitions used by colleges.</p>
<p>However, colleges are ALWAYS looking for academically qualified, unique/interesting candidates. </p>
<p>While you may not be checking the AA box, as most applicants will not, you can demonstrate your background and the unique qualities you bring to the college through your ECs, essays and LORs.</p>
<p>@entomom</p>
<p>Alright. So diversity refers to those specific minority races. It does not in this case refer to general diversity. </p>
<p>Fair enough. I guess it can still make for an interesting essay or something.</p>
<p>OP, in general, diversity has come to refer to URMs, sure. But the goal of diversity on campus is broader. Eg, geographical balance, a variety of majors and ECs, kids with different values, talents, perspectives. (And, all qualified to do the work at that college.) Behind it all is a question: what does “this” kid bring to our community? If all one can point to is the circumstances of a strife-torn country, that’s not necessarily enough, not even with top stats. </p>
<p>@lookingforward</p>
<p>I thought my question was answered but you’ve confused me again haha.</p>
<p>Here is my main confusion.</p>
<p>Is it more “what does this kid bring to our community”
or
“this kid overcame the obstacles by coming from a minority and deserves a chance”. </p>
<p>Because if it’s the later, being void of even basic human necessities for months should be enough to qualify their needs?</p>
<p>But if I understand correctly it has more to do with hispanic/black ect </p>
<p>It’s complex. And somewhat depends on the college (its level of competition and its own institutional wants and needs.) The more competitive, it’s not simply his circumstances (race, ethnicity, poverty, security, upheavals, etc,) but what he did despite that. They can and do look for kids who are empowered and have attempted to have some impact. That is, impact of the sort valued by adcoms. Depending on your potential major, this can take many forms. In short, what have you done about the situation you see around you? </p>
<p>You’re overthinking this. Present yourself honestly and bringing out whatever makes you you. </p>
<p>Some colleges look mainly at grades, others look at grades and then also take into consideration many other factors.</p>
<p>I believe that college look for general diversity as well. Just admitting international students brings diversity to a campus. That is why colleges that can afford it offer financial aid to international students. Of course even more are happy to have full pay internationals.Many colleges like to bring students in from a variety of regions and countries. Being from a war torn country will give you perspectives that American students will not have, regardless if your family is well of financially or not. I wouldn’t worry so much about how to game the system as how to best present yourself and your strengths and perspectives and experiences.</p>
<p>Overall, internationals who do not require aid are in a better position admission-wise because colleges cannot afford to hand out funds to everyone they would like to admit so those students getting aid are more limited in the offers they get than full pay.</p>
<p>Okay. Thanks for your answers everyone. Clears up a lot of my confusion :)</p>