<p>I’ll be applying to SLO this call from a community college in SoCal for Aerospace engineering. I’ve read a few threads on here and people say the overwhelming majority is caucasian, which I have no problem with. I’m mainly white and black, but look indian. SLO is definitely my top school even though I have the GPA and EC’s to get into any UC practically. I was just curious if being a minority would boost my chances at all for admission?</p>
<p>Being a minority alone doesn’t help. Some minorities are overrepresented (Asians) while others are underrepresented. If you list your race as black not white then you will be a URM which is somewhat of a hook in admissions.</p>
<p>What do you mean by a “hook”?</p>
<p>“Hook” is a term that people use to refer to a sort of bonus that helps with admissions. Hooks include recruited athletes, URM, first-generation college student, etc.</p>
<p>Affirmative action is illegal in public institutions in California.</p>
<p>Won’t help, won’t hurt</p>
<p>(1) Asians are NOT overrepresented at Cal Poly SLO. They are only 11% of the school population. Compare that to UC Berkeley, UCLA or UCI, etc. where Asians are as high as 45%.</p>
<p>(2) Additionally, there few opportunities to take advantage of a “hook” at Cal Poly SLO as there are no essays in the application. In order for a “hook” to be relevant you need an essay to communicate it. However, as Lagging suggests above, being a recruited athlete or being able to check a box for being disabled, first generation, etc. could help a lot.</p>
<p>(3) The school is actively looking to diversify its campus. But you must be qualified to get in like everyone else.</p>
<p>I am glad that you qualify for many UC’s. We agree with you as my son turned down several of the top UC’s for Cal Poly SLO. You will be in very good company. Many of my son’s buddies did exactly the same thing.</p>
<p>Additionally, like you our family is mixed race. Welcome to the club.</p>