Possible Minority boost?

L

Lahey

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Aug 23, 2015
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69
Hi,

This weekend, I plan on finishing everything up on the academy side and getting all my recs and counselor information done this coming week. I also plan on sending my congressional nomination form tomorrow.

I would say I am a fairly competitive applicant. My strengths are in my leadership potential and club involvement (President of 3 clubs, VP of 1, treasurer of another) and my weaknesses are that I don't play for a school team. GPA, SAT / ACT is about average (30 ACT) I am member of a recreational basketball league. Its just like a real team, we had tryouts and everything. The reason I dont do schools sports is the time commitment. Instead of having to meet every single day after school, I meet with my team for practices on weekends and a few weekdays depending on the season. I can use this time on the weekdays to work a part time job and do my homework.

Anyways, I am an Indian. Not American Indian, but like Indian. My dad moved about 20 years ago here in America and I was born in California and moved to Texas as he completed his degree in Computer Sciences. According to USNA this means I am a "first-generation" american? I have seen alot of stuff on these forms that the academy is favorable to minorities. Does this apply to me?

edit : some information that may help is that I am raising money to build homes for people in Uganda and Brazil. Our goal is 15,000 dollars, and I have raised 3,000 so far over 3 months period
 
No you are not a first generation American unless your mother was also foreign born. Both of them have to be immigrants or you yourself have to be an immigrant.
 
First generation doesn't just include foreign born who has immigrated to a new company but also native born citizen of a country whose parents are foreign born. But if only one of your parents are desi then you would consider as second generation.
 
Hi,
both of my parents are immigrants and now both citizens. Are hispanics / japanese / American Indians the only URMs?
Thanks again,
Lahey
 
I do not believe that people from the subcontinent of India are considered a separate minority. There are many types of diversity at Service Academies, some racial/ethnic, some geographical, some even related to homeschooling.

I would check with admissions or with your ALO to determine whether your race/ethnicity would be considered "minority." Doesn't look to me like you'd qualify, but I'm just a mom.
 
I think URMs are usually considered as Hispanics, American Indians, and African Americans.
 
fencersmother said:
I do not believe that people from the subcontinent of India are considered a separate minority. There are many types of diversity at Service Academies, some racial/ethnic, some geographical, some even related to homeschooling.

I would check with admissions or with your ALO to determine whether your race/ethnicity would be considered "minority." Doesn't look to me like you'd qualify, but I'm just a mom.
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The question is not whether the OP is a minority, it's whether or not the OP is considered an underrepresented minority. A minority is simply someone who isn't a part of the majority. The majority of people at service academies are white, and since the OP is not white, the OP is a minority. An underrepresented minority is something completely different. He may or may not be an underrepresented minority.
 
also thanks for all the responses guys, I was hoping that since there are not too many Indian students at the academies that i would be considered as a "minority" and this might help in the long run for admissions. looks like i wont qualify for a boost as an indian student, but thanks anyways!
 
Lahey, it doesn't matter what you consider to be a(n) (under-represented) minority. It matters only to the Service Academy.
 
Does it really matter if you get an under-represented minority boost? Your record should stand on it's own, now matter what nationality you are. You can't change your DNA, but you can put forth the best package possible and if you are competitive enough, you will get an appointment. Stop worrying about things you cannot change and just continue to be the best YOU you can be.
 
Better if your boost is 800/800/800, or national champion at your sport, or started your own business, or president of your class... forget your skin color, national origin, creed, etc. Falconsrock and proudofmyboy are right: just be the best YOU - and you will shine!
 
A299 said:
Would I get a minority boost being a Hispanic female?
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A double boost for you, hon!

As to Lahey’s question and the answers provided……..let us not pretend for one moment that if you are anything but a Caucasian male the SA’s aren’t foaming at the mouth to get you to attend. True, you have to meet the standards first, but this stuff matters to their numbers. Big time. Use whatever boost you may possess!
 
parentalunit2 said:
Use whatever boost you may possess!
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My point is to not focus on the boost, the SA will use whatever factors they use to make under-represented selections. But if you happen to be one of those minorities and have a 400/400/400 SAT and no leadership to speak of and can't run a mile, it won't help to "use whatever boost you may possess". If you are a candidate, focus on the things you have control over and let the SA worry about the rest. What? Are you not going to apply if you happen to be a white male with 800/800/800 SAT and walk on water in every other category in the top 1% because you don't have a boost? Of course not. 1+ with Fencersmother, be the best YOU and shine on!
 
I agree with FalconsRock & Fencersmom. Don't look for "boosts". If that's all you're basing your chances on, then your chances are not very good.

Let's put it this way. Say they pick you up because you're a purple-spotted green tentacled alien - obviously a minority. Now you start classes and they WILL throw you into Calc 1, Physics 1, Chem 1, etc. Can you pass those classes? Will the Academy be wasting their time and money on a purple-spotted green tentacled alien if you can't prove that you have what it takes to pass those courses, or keep up during training sessions, or pass your knowledge tests? Of course not!

Get excellent grades, score high on the SAT/ACT, workout, RUN, etc. The "boost" happens if you fall into the category of someone who can "make it that far." You MAY be chosen over someone else.
 
If the academies are seeking diversity, it would seem logical that with all other things being equal, i.e. academics (GPA, SATs, ACTs), leadership responsibilities, CFA, and DoDMERB, an under represented minority candidate would have an edge over an over represented majority candidate. Therefore, as long as both candidates can 'walk on water', the under represented candidate would get the nod. QED?

Is 'walking on water' a 'boost' or requisite for USNA?
 
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