I see the term URM (under represented minority) used a lot on this site and I’m wondering what it actually constitutes and what it does for you.
In my case I’m male (no), gay (yes), and half Chinese half Jewish white (maybe). Will I be considered this? I definitely made my identity a big part of my essay.
Some places it does nothing for you because they do not consider ethnicity. URM refers to race or ethnicity. White and Chinese are not URM in general. There are exceptions for schools lacking significant Chinese or Asian population, such as some in the midwest or south.
URM refers to race.
Gay is a sexual orientation so that doesn’t count.
Being White and Chinese is not a URM. White and East-Asian are basically two of the most over represented race/ethnicity in the application pool.
There’s a special spot where you can say you are a mixed race, but you will not be given any boost in the admissions process like Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans do.
URMs are Under Represented Minorities. This refers to the context of one’s race, primarily. And the term (as it explains) denotes people of races/categories that are under represented in certain: institutes, majors, regions, etc.
In much of the US, this term applies to groups such as Blacks, Hispanics (though Hispanic is more of an ethnic term, rather than a racial term, but that’s a discussion for another thread), Native Americans, and other racial groups not represented well enough, considering their overall population relative to the country at large.
This does mean, unfortunately, that there can be ORMs, Over Represented Majorities. These are usually White and most Asian descents.
I see, thanks for clearing that up everyone.
This is worth saying again. Being part Asian can be a help at these places where Asian students are under-represented.
At many Eastern liberal arts colleges you would be a valued applicant if not technically a URM. You are a functional URM.
I would say the same at the Catholic schools that are definitely interested in a more diverse student body.
Right being half Asian will be a plus in some schools, but not at most midsized and large universities Northeast or West Coast. The lesser known LACs can be an exception as well. Look at the admissions statistics for schools to see where you’ll have the best chances.
If you have to ask, you are not a URM.
Gay will not be an admissions advantage anywhere. As far as URM, each college, where legally allowed, if free to determine what it considers to be URM. One such definition is:
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Medicine/diversity/urm_definition.html