Race and Gender impact on the Undergraduate Admission Process

During the undergraduate college admission process in the United States, race and gender can have a significant impact. Admissions committees evaluate applicants on numerous criteria such as academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, essays, and standardized test scores, among other factors. Nevertheless, they may also consider demographic characteristics, including race and gender when assessing candidates.

In the United States, colleges and universities aim to establish a diverse student population that includes students from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as students of different genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses. One method that institutions employ to achieve this objective is by incorporating an applicant's race and ethnicity into the admissions process, known as affirmative action.

The purpose of affirmative action policies is to offer equal opportunities to groups that have been historically disadvantaged by considering their race and ethnicity. The intention is to enhance the presence of underrepresented groups in higher education and foster a more diverse and inclusive learning environment.

Despite their noble goals, affirmative action policies have faced controversy and legal disputes. Critics contend that these policies unfairly discriminate against applicants who do not belong to historically disadvantaged groups, but advocates argue that they are essential to rectify past and present discrimination and to encourage diversity in higher education.

While race and ethnicity have a greater impact on college admissions than gender, gender can still be a factor in the process. Efforts have been made in recent years to increase the representation of women in traditionally male-

dominated fields and STEM subjects. Certain colleges and universities have taken steps to encourage more women to apply for and enroll in these programs.

Overall, increasing diversity and equity in higher education is a priority, and race and gender may be taken into account in the admissions process. However, the extent to which these factors are considered can vary by institution and always remember that race and gender are just a small portion of the criteria but your academics, scores, projects, performance, extra circulars etc. define your admission selection.