Agree this conventional wisdom is just for top 20 schools. And for those schools, if you do have a blemish of some sort in with respect to your grades or your scores / going test optional, I think you want to make it clear that you are not URM if possible.

Otherwise, talk about your race all you want.

Anonymous wrote:Now I’m confused. My child has good grades, AP classes, varsity sports and volunteer stuff through our church. Typical student in NOVA. She is not applying to top schools (Clemson and tech are her reaches). Think T-50 or 100. Probably will go TO depending on score. Her common app essay does not mention her URM background but there are schools which still specifically ask a discrimination/inclusivity question. Va Tech still has that, which actually surprised me.

She did mention it there. Is the CW that even when asked by specific colleges, we should ignore that part of her identity and come up with something else since she is NOT high stats/high test. Or is that for the most selective of selective?

It’s just about the most selective schools, really. VT admits roughly 1 of every 2 applicants. Unless you’re applying to a particularly selective program at VT, they’re not looking for random reasons to reject kids. The most selective schools admit roughly 1 of every 20 applicants, so every little thing becomes enormously important.

Now I’m confused. My child has good grades, AP classes, varsity sports and volunteer stuff through our church. Typical student in NOVA. She is not applying to top schools (Clemson and tech are her reaches). Think T-50 or 100. Probably will go TO depending on score. Her common app essay does not mention her URM background but there are schools which still specifically ask a discrimination/inclusivity question. Va Tech still has that, which actually surprised me.

She did mention it there. Is the CW that even when asked by specific colleges, we should ignore that part of her identity and come up with something else since she is NOT high stats/high test. Or is that for the most selective of selective?

DD will write about her Spanish heritage only in the college essay prompts asking about background, lived experience or community. If they are asking, then she is telling.

It isn't in her common app essay and it isn't in the essays abt leadership - specifically, Michigan dropped their community essay in favor of a leadership essay.

I think the approach should vary by what the school is looking for. Some are still seeking out diversity (Northwestern and I think Duke).

Anonymous wrote:From what I understand, essays are confidential and can't be reviewed by the administration. I don't think they would be afraid of admitting a URM based on their essay alone.

They took everything from UVA undergrad. Then Law. Then Business. The letters from DOJ are punished and essays were included.

It really feels like they are searching hard to find evidence to fit the crime they’ve decided colleges have committed and can’t get the case to come together.

Anonymous wrote:From what I understand, essays are confidential and can't be reviewed by the administration. I don't think they would be afraid of admitting a URM based on their essay alone.

Not the issue. The issue is whether admitting a URM with relatively low standardized test scores and GPA from a less demanding academic school should be admitted over a higher performing non-URM just for the sake of diversity (DEI).

From what I understand, essays are confidential and can't be reviewed by the administration. I don't think they would be afraid of admitting a URM based on their essay alone.

I advised my white DS to write at length about the importance of the AME Zion church in his life.

Anonymous wrote:URM DD has her ethnicity in one of her essays but tied explicitly to an activity in which she eventually excelled and received multiple awards. She is also high stat with rigor and test scores. I would not include mention of background in any essay if your GPA or test scores are below 50th percentile of particular school. Minority applicants will be subject to increased scrutiny.

Good point.
Also think if you are TO and/or have any app weakness (as you suggested above) but instead are ORM, then, and only then make sure to mention your race. That way they know they wont be unintentionally picking a lower stat URM - which may be their concern.

URM DD has her ethnicity in one of her essays but tied explicitly to an activity in which she eventually excelled and received multiple awards. She is also high stat with rigor and test scores. I would not include mention of background in any essay if your GPA or test scores are below 50th percentile of particular school. Minority applicants will be subject to increased scrutiny.

Should? “students should”???

It’s not about what should happen.

AO processes are being run by the general counsel’s office now. School administrators are running scared of DJT and want to (1) preserve all existing institutional funding for next 3 years and (2) not pay anymore fines.

It’s the new reality.

No top school that’s felt the wrath & ire of the current admin - or has put new risk procedures in place to avoid such wrath - is going to do the “noble” or right thing. They all have their hands tied. They will not admit a candidate that on a look-back would draw additional scrutiny.

Ask around - former AO are shell shocked by conversations with their colleagues still working at T20 admissions offices.

Everything has changed. Everything.

Talk about any aspect of your life experience or identity that you want.

Just because Trump has decided to strongarm and muzzle these relevant details doesn't mean they're not relevant for shaping a class. Universities will now not openly recruit for race or ethnic diversity but they're not going to ignore it if it organically comes up in someone's answer.

Sometimes the best answer to an essay prompt will include something about Chinese heritage or leading a Black student affinity group and that's ok. Students should be allowed to talk about the groups they lead and things they've learned from their heritage and history.

One poster in this forum has mentioned not talking about race in essays, based on Sara H's opinion. I think that is an incorrect approach.

That said, I would suggest that the main idea of an essay should be showing a personal character type of quality. Be careful that the physical discussion doesn't distract from that.

It’s fine.

It sounds like some college counselors are advising not to mention anything about your race this year since the administration will review admissions data. What about an essay about a personal trait that usually means you're white (e.g., blond hair or blue eyes)? DD has written a beautiful essay but it's built around a physical trait of hers - it can't be taken out of her essay and can't be changed to a different color the way her story unfolds.