<p>I don't get this whole URM thing as being a hook and whatever, increasing their chances at admissions. Is it ever possible for someone who is white to be a URM? If not, then why not? I'm Cypriot.. most people haven't even heard of Cyprus. Well, I'd say thats pretty underrepresented. So whats the deal?</p>
<p>For some American universities, having African American, Latino and Native Americans is essential to their efforts to diversify their domestic applicant pool. A person from Cyprus may be interesting and might be noticed – but it would have nothing to do with colleges’ efforts at diversifying their student pool from American minority populations. Some colleges give special treatment to international students (because they might be very short of international applicants)</p>
<p>The assumption is that a URM has had a “tougher row to hoe” throughout his life so his stats may not be as high, but he has the potential to succeed if given the opportunity. Schools want diversity, so they sometimes will accept a URM with lower than avg stats to meet diversity needs and to provide opportunity.</p>
<p>It’s not about being from a unique country.</p>
<p>You’re not a URM. Deal with it and stop trying to cheat your way into college, it’s sickening.</p>
<p>Being Italian, I know I am over-represented, but I see what the OP is saying</p>
<p>To the other posters…
So the diversity colleges look for is the color of ones’ skin? What about an African American family who makes a good amount of money… successful. Their children have some good opportunities in my opinion. So the less-fortunate European kid who hasn’t had as much opportunities has a lesser chance of getting into College A because, even though his family is from underrepresented country, he’s white?</p>
<p>Nosike:</p>
<p>Give the poor kid a break. There is nothing wrong with what the OP was asking. I would say there is something wrong when students attempt to hide behind their URM status…cough cough…like making 6 chance threads when you haven’t even taken an SAT/SAT Subject test.</p>
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<p>Though there is a clear corellation between family income and SAT score, schools have made it a clear priority to not discriminate based on socioeconomic status. This goes both ways, for the rich and the poor.</p>
<p>If you’ve had a tough upbringing, however, there are other ways that you can bring this up to schools. </p>
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<p>Agreed 100%.</p>