The college admission process can be unforgiving, especially to applicants from less privileged backgrounds. However, it doesn’t have to dictate the course of your life or limit your ability to obtain a high-quality education because believe it or not, most people have at least one advantage s/he can capitalize on in the admission process.

And thanks to affirmative action, colleges are making additional efforts to admit a more diverse class each year. Affirmative action takes into account applicants’ ethnicity/race, gender, religion, and country of origin to increase representation of marginalized groups in higher education.

The following traits can be advantageous for applicants:

1. Community college student
2. First-generation
3. Legacy
4. Marginalized group (e.g., LGBT, PoC, women)
5. State or national champion
6. Veteran

Community College Student

Applicants who transfer from community college often receive a significant advantage in the transfer process, specifically at the UC and CSU systems, because these students are typically more experienced and prepared for the rigor of college work than their high school counterparts.

Related: Want to know how to use community college to boost your chances of going to elite schools like UCLA? Check out this article to find out.

The acceptance rate for regular admission at UC Berkeley, for example, is 17.6 percent while the rate for transfer students is 25.3 percent – a 143% admission boost! 

This trend has also been observed at other selective colleges such as Notre Dame, NYU, UIC, UMich, UNC, University of Florida, University of Wisconsin-Madison, UVA, Vanderbilt, and Washington University in St. Louis where the acceptance rate for transfers exceeds that of regular admission by a significant margin.

• What you can do: Use this time to pursue your interests and excel in academic endeavors. Do well in your courses and aim to achieve a high GPA so when it’s time to apply you will already be a competitive applicant.

• Hypothetical extracurriculars: ASB, honors program, President’s ambassador, research assistant, leadership positions

First Generation

Applicants who will be the first in their immediate family to attend college also get a boost in the admission process because this status is often associated with low-income and immigration. And while they are not directly protected under affirmative action, these groups still contribute to an institution’s diversity and inclusivity.

• What you can do: If you are a first-generation student then highlight it in your college applications and essays. Describe the challenges you endured but more importantly explain how you overcame those limitations.

• Hypothetical extracurriculars: Advocacy or non-profit organization, family obligations (i.e., childcare), mentorship programs

Legacy

Does your family come from a long line of alumni? If so, use it to your advantage because colleges view these types of applicants more favorably. Findings suggest legacy applicants enjoy a boost equivalent to a 160-point increase on the SAT or a 45% greater chance of admittance to highly selective universities.

At Harvard, for example, the acceptance rate among legacy applicants is a whopping 34 percent – or a 576% boost! This practice is also observed at top schools like Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Princeton, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, USC, and UVA.  

So why do colleges do it? Well, the expectation is once graduates build a career and make a name for themselves they will donate in the future. Plus, successful graduates increase an institution’s reputation for molding future leaders and pioneers, which is a good selling point for prospective applicants – and their parents. 

However, it is important to note that some universities do not give special treatment to legacy applicants, such as Caltech, MIT, UC Berkeley, and the University of Washington, so plan accordingly.

And keep in mind that you will also have to contribute on your end as well (i.e., good grades, decent extracurriculars) and not just ride on your family’s coattails.

• What you can do: Participate in activities that demonstrate your interest in the university and highlight this fact in your college applications and essays. And if you are certain this is the school you want to attend then I recommend applying early decision or early action.

• Hypothetical extracurriculars: Attend informational sessions, go on campus tours, participate in university-sponsored programs (e.g., academic, research, summer), reach out to admission officers

Marginalized Group

Thanks, in large part, to affirmative action, universities are admitting significantly more qualified minorities, which presents a perfect opportunity for applicants to highlight this aspect in the admission process.

• What you can do: If you come from an underrepresented group then emphasize this point in your college applications and essays. Describe what lessons you can draw from your experiences as a minority and how it can benefit these institutions.

• Hypothetical extracurriculars: United Khmer Students, Black Student Union, Women in STEM, Latinx Coalition.

State or National Champion

Talented athletes with a good winning record at the state or national level are at a significant advantage in the admission process, particularly at Division I universities (e.g., Stanford, UCLA, Harvard), because championships bolster the winning institution’s reputation and rank. 

It is important to point out that student-athletes go through a separate admission process and are typically recruited rather than admitted. They must also meet minimum grade requirements outlined by the NCAA.

• What you can do: Do your best to win as many games at the state and national level. Practice regularly and make every effort to stay physically fit. But more importantly, always be on your A-game.

• Hypothetical extracurriculars: Baseball, basketball, football, soccer, track and field, water polo

Veteran

Not many service members are aware of the advantages that come with this status or how it can help them in the admission process. Veterans are recognized as a special group due to the unique experiences they encounter and the skills they develop in military service, which are associated with positive learning outcomes in higher education. 

Additionally, a lesser known advantage of military applicants is they tend to be less of a financial burden to universities thanks to government subsidies and GI benefits. As such, veterans receive a competitive edge in the college admission process.

• What you can do: It is a good strategy to first attend community college and transfer at a later time. This way you get a feel of what college life is like and go at your own pace. Afterward, I recommend applying to colleges that are VetLink partners or offer the Yellow Ribbon program, such as Carnegie Mellon, Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, University of Chicago, and Yale. 

• Hypothetical extracurriculars: ProVetus, United Veterans Society, Veteran 2 Veteran, Veteran Network, Veteran Transition Mission, Veterans Helping Veterans