Diversity Out Reach?

[JS2020]

Hello, I was curious if someone can explain what the Diversity Outreach officer does or what USMA does about diversity. I see that Asian Americans are not listed under the description when researching about USMA diversity outreach. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AROTC-dad]

The focus is not just minorities but underrepresented minority groups.

Asians have not fallen into that category.

 

[kittkatt]

The focus is not just minorities but underrepresented minority groups.

Asians have not fallen into that category.

While I assume that the major service academies are bound by slightly different rules/laws, I recently read that, among other schools, Harvard and UNC are currently being sued under Title VI for just this type of policy.

 

[jl123]

Service Academy admissions process is dictated by federal statute. For USMA it is Title 10 USC 4392.

To provide a very simplified explanation of diversity in a complex process - USMA admissions is merit based until the last 200 - 300 spots, when order of merit is not required. Most, but not all, of those appointments are allocated to meet recruiting goals for recruited athletes, prior service enlisted soldiers, women, and minorities. MOC's can also influence the process by how they choose to make their nominations.

 

[boy_from_cali]

Hmm interesting, I thought Asian-Americans were one of the most underrepresented minority at the service academies. I heard that Asians constitute less than the number of African-Americans, Hispanics and are second to last to Native Americans. Does being Asian put you at a disadvantage then when applying to Army like civilian colleges?

 

[AROTC-dad]

Here is a demographic breakdown from USMA:

http://www.usma.edu/news/SitePages/Class of 2016 to Enter West Point.aspx

While I don't have the stats on applicants, I do know that most top colleges have a high percentage of Asian American applicants.

The academies likely have plenty of Asian American applicants so the are not considered underrepresented.

If you are from California, just visit UCLA, where my oldest DS and DD graduated from and you will see a HIGH percentage of Asian American students. (Yes, my kids are Asian American).

IMHO, it has become tougher to be an Asian American applicant to a top college, SA, or Ivy due to the abundance of that demographic and not being underrepresented.

Just focus on what you can control and it will work out in the end.

 

[MidwestDad]

Nobody is at a disadvantage applying to SAs if they excel academically, athletically, and physically while showing a commitment to serve and lead.

 

[Wishful]

An under-represented minority holding a high SAT/ACT score will have IMO, the collegiant world at their doorstep with full scholarships in hand. The four years of free college education after five years an SA appointment can offer isn't a positive when compared to available full ride scholarships universities offer without the 5 year commitment to serve. Not judging, but that's the way it is. It will, as it always has, be a special person who will step up to to make the "commitment to serve & lead".

 

[VelveteenR]

compared to available full ride scholarships universities offer without the 5 year commitment to serve.

Unless the five-year commitment is the goal -- as it is for MANY cadets and mids. The academies are full of those "special" people.