African Americans and Ivy Leagues?

My friend says that Ivy League colleges like to accept African Americans and that all I need to do is have a 3.8 GPA and a decent SAT score in the ball park of 1800-2100. Is this true? I would really love to go to Yale but I think he's probably just pulling my leg.

African Americans and Ivy Leagues?
Well from very first hand experience yes and no. First it depends on where you are applying. ( Upenn and Cornell love black people) while the others do to but these ones are exceptions. Also you SAT should still be around the ballpark of 2000-2200. You can get away with 1950 or higher if you cores are strong(such as mine were) 1800- 1940 will not cut it no matter what color you are. Also you must stand out with a lot of E.C's and your grades should be very good. If you do sports those will help you a lot.



For me I had a 3.2 GPA(very hard school which the colleges know about and a lot of AP's) 690-C.R 670- Math and a lot of E.C's and leadership positions. Also had extremly strong recomendations from great teachers. and I got into Upenn early this year



Good luck and stay strong brotha
Reply:Oh no, I don't think what you're friend said is really true at all. I mean there's always exceptions to every thing. I totally agree with the guy above. I think that you still need pretty stellar SAT scores and a really good GPA. I only think that being a minority would give you an edge over someone else whose as qualified as you are that's not African American. You would also need to be involved with many extracurriculars as said above. But you have to make sure that you have a really outstanding application. That's what the admission committee really looks at. We've all heard of those instances where this or that person got accepted into this really good college, but his grades were less than outstanding. Those would be exceptions to those rules, because they had a really good application. Work hard on personal statements and that essay. I wish you good luck though and hope you get accepted to wherever you want!
Reply:That's not true. You need to be a stellar student, just like the rest of us. You guys do get a little help in a situation where there's one slot left and there's you and a Caucasian with similar grades, but that's it. It is worth applying just in case, though.
Reply:Its not that they "love" one ethnicity or another, it is that many Ivy League schools are trying to promote diversity within their halls. If it came down you to and another student and the other student had the GPA and you didn’t....you’re not going to get picked just because you’re black.



As a matter of fact, race is not suppose to be used as a deciding factor (which is why the question is optional on any forms IF it is present at all), but it might be used as a tie breaker in the event that you tie with another qualified student and the institution is lacking in diversity.



Ivy league schools like to accept anyone that they feel are quality and can enhance the learning environment ....they also want students from all types of backgrounds and experiences that will benefit from the strong quality education that they provide.



One thing you should ask your friend is if it only takes a black person to have a 3.8 and really good GPA then what would a white person need to get in? If that’s all it took to get in, then I would be there and hundreds of other 3.8+ minority students.



I say take your chances and see what happens. It is quite possible that you could get accepted and if you do, attribute that to your grades and accomplishments....not your skin color. And for future references.....do not listen to your friends about what would make you a definite pick for anything unless they are actually on the acceptance committee.
Reply:this question is racist and i am offended.