Why a lack of diversity at IU?

<p>Recently I got accepted to IU. I applied last minute and then found out later how strong their business school is, which is what I want to major in. However, it seems like the majority of their student body is white, and there are very few minorities. Why is this the case? Do minority students not want to attend IU because there is racism? How tolerant is the IU student body of minority students?</p>

<p>LOL, there isn't racism in Bloomington, it's a rather diverse city. Nearly every university will have the majority of their student body being white, but they have diversity. Someone who visited the campus (Dcho) commented on how he didn't feel the percentages reflected what life was actually like on campus, and how there was diversity.</p>

<p>yea even though its only 10% total of minorities at IU bloomington it felt more like 15-20%( yea i know not a real big difference) but the point is, its the midwest wut do u expect? obviously west coast and some areas in the east coast like new york are gona have more minorities in general. racism is not a problem at IU, i mean this is 1) college and 2) 21st century, sure racism exists in certain areas but IU bloomington isnt really one of em. also if u look at their site, you obviously get the feel that they enjoy or want more diversity/culture from other races other than plain old american culture. dont worry about it, i had the same worries ( im asian american from california) but when i visited i didnt feel uncomfortable at all :)</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses. I feel more comfortable about attending IU now.</p>

<p>what nationality are you nolesraiders2002 and where are you from? are you going to IU for sure?</p>

<p>RI, Asian. will be attending IU unless i get accepted to Michigan, which is looking unlikely right now.</p>

<p>I share the same concerns as nolesraiders. As someone who grew up in Los Angeles and Miami, I've been exposed to different ethnicities and cultures so I've been a bit hesitant when considering IU. Because 2/3s of the population is instate, and forgive me for generalizing a bit here, I can't shake the belief that most of the student body is composed of locals (usually white) who's top priority is to party and get wasted while academics become secondary. Albeit, there are some major exceptions like the music and business school (which I hope is more diverse and attracts a wide range of students because of it's ranking). I'm more concerned with intellectual diversity more than anything and I seriously hope that IU provides that. Anyone else who has visited IU want to weigh in?</p>

<p>I don't think that if the majority of students were remiss with their studies that they would be ranked as well as they are. </p>

<p>You can always find a group that matches your values and study habits, no matter what they are. You may not find them on the same floor of your dorm, or even in your dorm, but you'll find them. In a school that size, it shouldn't be hard. Both the administrators and the students stressed the importance of joining something as soon as you get there - whether it's an intramural sport, a club, or both. Don't wait to try and figure out what you're going to like, just jump in and start doing things and meeting people. It's the fastest and easiest way to find a group of people that you'll like. </p>

<p>You have people coming from cities and suburbs where schools have kids from Korea and China, Japan and India. Most of the minorities in my sons h.s. come from Japan and India. The school my sons attend have many Asians. Honestly, most of them tend to hang with one another and talk a lot about Asian pride. My sons and their friends invite them to do things, but they're always busy with their other friends (other Asians). The Indian kids hang out with everyone, the latino kids hang out with everyone, but the Asian kids seem to hang together more than not. I don't know if that's something unique to their school or if it's something you find in most places. </p>

<p>I think young kids today are pretty accepting of others, unless they come from a place where everyone is intolerant. I have done a lot of digging in doing research on Indiana U., and have talked to some kids who have gone there, and I haven't heard anything negative about it. The families my son and ex met during Direct Admit Day were from Chicago and suburbs, California, New York and New Jersey. Only one was from Indiana. You're going to find kids from larger cities and California to be colorblind, I think. </p>

<p>I hope I don't offend anyone with anything I've written here. I know discussions like this can lead to misunderstanding when the intention is for it to lead to further understanding, so please know my intentions were good in posting this.</p>

<p>LOl aimhigh asians always hanging together and only sticking together is not a uncommon thing, i totally understand what you're saying. its sort of in our culture to just hang with each other probaly because we all relate with one another, i dont know why but even though california has alot of diversity, races tend to hang with one another my high school and some of the UC's are like that except probaly la,sd,berkeley tend to have a bit less of that but asians populations on the UC campus is like BIG like usually half or almost half hence we're not minorities for college in california animore. i applied to IU to sorta get out of the asian bubble, i too wanted to meet people with different backgrounds and thinking/culture. Kelley students are the smarter kids on campus so im sure you dont have to worry that all IU kids are retards. when i asked about the in state and out of state population, my host whos instate said that didnt really matter, people like himself met new friends from instate and out of state and sort of branched off from his high school friends (most went elsewhere but i tink he had 1 friend who went to IU with hiim) he said as long as you're nice,outgoing,social and WILLING to make friends, it shouldnt be a problem. college is all about meeting new people :)</p>

<p>I agree with you, DCHO. If you go with the right attitude, you won't have any problem making friends. </p>

<p>I wouldn't say that Kelley students are the smarter kids on campus though, or you may alienate a lot of people who could be potential friends. ;-)</p>

<p>When we were at IU last week, we observed both ethnic diversity and kids who were preppy, hippyesque, emo and everything in between.</p>

<p>AimHigh, I noticed that you mentioned Indians interacting w/ everyone. Suprisingly, I've seen different. I'm Indian from NY and I know Indians mostly hang w/ Indians. I'm totally different and like hanging out w/ everyone as long as they're chill. I guess it depends on where you grew up. My school is preppy and about 95% white so all my friends are white. But I doubt racism or ethnic backgrounds will be of any problem at IU, especially nowadays. It all depends on the individual. If you are an outgoing, social individual who is up for anything, you won't have any problems making friends. However, if you're uptight, picky, and not very social, there obviously will be problems. It doesn't matter what background you are, it matters what kind of personality you have. If you come to campus w/ an open mind and WILLING to meet new people, you definitely will. I love meeting new people and making new friends and thats what you gotta do..open up and talk to everyone you see. Don't stick to a specific group of people. GL, hope to see you in the fall.</p>

<p>I know IU really tries to promote diversity and acceptance. My son is Caucasian, so he can't give a minority viewpoint, but I know he had an Asian roommate his first semester and got along great with him, and the names of kids he mentions doing things with sound like they come from a variety of cultures. He is in the Honors dorm and a music major, so that may affect what kind of people he hangs out with, however--I can't tell you what things are like in the "party" dorms or frats.</p>

<p>Susantm: does your son like the school? what complaints does he have about it?</p>

<p>mike321, My son does like it there, especially the music department. He has progressed quite a ways in his music training and really enjoys the classes. His main complaints are the weather (too humid in the summer, too cold in the winter) and the fact that most of his classes so far have been taught by grad students. Some of the grad students have been excellent; others are just teaching because they have to and are not as good. I guess the only other complaint is that there is too much partying going on, so it can be noisy at times.</p>

<p>If those are the only complaints...wow...my IU rating is up from 90% to 95% chance of attending. There have to be some more negative things he has about the school. I'm a party guy, so the party aspect he mentioned won't be a problem to me. I'll study in the library, and socialize elsewhere. I'll be doing business, so I can't relate to the music school. Humid in the summer, cold in the winter...I'm used to it since I'm from NYC. I'd like to hear some negative things, since all I've heard from students are positive. This isn't the case for other schools. Is IU just that great? :)</p>

<p>parikhs, do you have AIM? Id like to talk to you</p>