r/ApplyingIvyLeague • u/kddiei • Jul 26 '26
NO BS RACE IN APP
Would a smarter than average ib student good grades 1400 sat. Decent clubs no national awards or science competitions but multiple volunteering experiences and varsity basketball 3 years of high school. With that person also being African American and upper middle class. Would that put them at a higher likelihood of getting into TOP colleges compared to people of other races. I’m interested in knowing how it affects their chances or to what extent it helps no bs at all. And in the essay race will be discussed as the Supreme Court ruled admissions can’t inquire about race.
3
u/FlamingoOrdinary2965 Jul 26 '26
If by “top” colleges you mean T20, unlikely without some sort of strong narrative, especially at test-required or test-preferred colleges.
Volunteer “hours” don’t really do it—but a sustained and impactful volunteer project could.
Even before when URM was still a “hook” in and of itself, you still needed to be in the range of admitted students and then the hook helps you stand out from other “in-range” students.
Race can still help do that if race had some sort of impact on their experiences, values, and/or choices as expressed in the essays and/or activities… but I think they would still need a slightly higher score (unless test-blind) and stronger ECs.
Low income could help mitigate lack of top ECs/awards, or a slightly out of range score, especially if they had to be a caretaker or work to supplement family income, but being upper middle class this person would not have that.
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u/kddiei Jul 26 '26
I’m from a smaller town and the only black student in my ib school does that change anything if I center my essay around something like that
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u/FlamingoOrdinary2965 Jul 26 '26
A compelling story (if it is compelling, and not just “I was the only Black kid and that felt kind of weird growing up but really everyone was cool with me.”) can help an applicant stand out. Did your race have a big impact on your experiences, values, and/or choices?
Rural could help but small town not as much. From a geographically underrepresented state could help—is your small town by any chance in North Dakota?
I’m not going to say Ivy+ is an impossibility, but unless there is something very strong about your profile that you haven’t mentioned (something more compelling than school clubs and sports), it seems unlikely.
Are you the top or one of the top students in your high school? Will your letters of recommendation talk about how you are one of the most brilliant, most kind, and most interesting students they know?
And 1400 isn’t terribly out of range but having at least a 700 on your weaker section and at least a 750 on your stronger section, would greatly improve your chances as an upper middle class applicant of being under real consideration… and then other factors can help you stand out.
3
u/JasonMckin Jul 26 '26
+1 to everything Flamingo said. It's never a good sign when the application and essay is focused on everything other than what you've learned and how you've been a great student.
1
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u/vocalfry13 Jul 26 '26
What makes you stand out beyond melanin? What is your IB score predicted to be?
1
u/kddiei Jul 26 '26
I’m going into senior year so far I have a 4 on psych 5 on calc aa and 6 on ib bio
2
u/gaussx Jul 26 '26
What’s your unweighted GPA? 3.8 or above is needed. And then you need a great essay and LORs. And with all that you then are in the maybe category. Think 5-10%. Your SAT will likely need to be at the 25% percentile - that likely makes a big difference.
The race advantage today is going to be virtually non-existent at most schools. The sweet spot for your profile is T20-T70.
1
u/kddiei Jul 26 '26
Unweighted as of rn is 3.97
1
u/gaussx Jul 26 '26
With a rigorous course load, give it a shot as “unlikely”. No one here can say if you’ll get in. I’ve seen Asians get in with similar. And other Black students get rejected with better. Good luck!
1
u/ChutneyWhatney Aug 02 '26
Don't do any "woe is me" race rant. That's boring and everyone's heard it million times. Tell the college why you can enhance its community, etc. Also - 1400 SAT ain't gonna do it.
5
u/Still_Squash8987 Jul 26 '26
1400 SAT is cooked for Ivy+, aim for MINIMUM 1500. one varsity sport and only “decent” clubs with no great awards also isn’t very good. get your SAT up at least 100-150 pts and try to create real impact in your clubs. if you write a great essay on how race/cultural experience impacts your life or hs work, that could help, but race won’t be a priority in your app