International Students: Are They Underrepresented?

The criteria for classifying students as URM (Under-Represented Minority) vary across institutions. URM status is generally reserved for US citizens from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities. While international students contribute to diversity in the classroom, they are not typically considered URM unless they are US citizens or permanent residents. However, the definition of URM primarily focuses on racial and ethnic underrepresentation rather than nationality.

International students are not URM unless they are US citizens

International students are generally not considered URM (Under-Represented Minority) applicants unless they are US citizens or permanent residents. URM status is often reserved for US citizens from specific racial or ethnic backgrounds that are underrepresented in the legal field and in law schools. These groups typically include Black/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, First Nation/American Indians, and Pacific Islanders.

While international students may face challenges during the admissions process, their status as international applicants does not automatically qualify them for URM consideration. However, an international student who has obtained US citizenship or permanent residency may be considered for URM status, depending on their racial or ethnic background. It is important to note that the specific criteria for URM status may vary across different institutions and organisations.

In the context of law school admissions, some international students have expressed uncertainty about whether they would receive a URM boost. They have also shared concerns about the perceived difficulty of the admissions process for international applicants compared to US citizens or permanent residents. However, it is generally acknowledged that international students with URM status may still experience a slight advantage or boost during the admissions process, although it may not be equivalent to that of URM citizens or residents.

It is worth noting that the definition of URM and the specific groups considered underrepresented can vary over time and across different fields or institutions. The University of Wisconsin Law School, for example, emphasises the importance of diversity in legal education, recognising that it enhances students' ability to see problems from different perspectives and prepares them for success in an increasingly diverse world. Therefore, while international students without US citizenship or residency may not be considered URM, their unique backgrounds and perspectives can still contribute to the overall diversity and richness of the student body.

US citizens who are Black/African American are URM

The term URM stands for underrepresented minority. URMs are defined as US citizens who identify as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, First Nation/American Indian, or Pacific Islander. These groups are considered URMs because they have a much lower law school representation relative to their numbers in the US population.

US citizens who are Black/African American are considered URM. This is because, historically, Black people in the US have been enslaved and treated as second-class citizens. After slavery was abolished in 1865, Black people in the US were still largely restricted by widespread policies and ideologies of white supremacy. This meant that, despite the expansion of public educational systems across the country, Black people were limited in their ability to participate in educational policymaking on a political level. By the late 1870s, Black people were disenfranchised and segregated across the American South.

As a result of this history, Black people in the US continue to face systemic disadvantages in education and other areas. This is reflected in the lower representation of Black students in law schools relative to their numbers in the US population.

It is important to note that the URM admissions process is not always clear or well-understood, and the criteria for URM status can vary between institutions. Additionally, "soft" factors such as socioeconomic, physical, or personal hardships can also play a role in the admissions process, providing additional context for an applicant's GPA and other objective metrics.

US citizens who are Hispanic/Latino are URM

International students are generally not counted as URMs (Under-Represented Minorities) unless they are US citizens. URM status is often reserved for specific ethnic groups that are underrepresented in academic institutions relative to their presence in the general population. US citizens who are Hispanic/Latino are considered URMs.

The definition of a URM varies depending on the academic institution, but URM status is generally reserved for US citizens who identify as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, First Nation/American Indian, or Pacific Islander. URM status is granted to these groups because they are often underrepresented in academic institutions relative to their presence in the general population. For example, Asians make up 4.4% of the US population but account for approximately 10% of law students. In contrast, URM groups have a much lower law school representation relative to their numbers in the US population.

US citizens who are Hispanic/Latino are considered URMs. In 2022, there were approximately 63.7 million Hispanics living in the US, accounting for about 19% of the total US population. The majority (81%) of US Hispanics are US citizens, including those born in the US and its territories (including Puerto Rico), those born abroad to American parents, and immigrants who have become naturalized citizens.

Hispanics/Latinos have a long history in the United States, particularly in states such as California, Texas, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona, which were acquired by the US through treaties and wars in the 19th century. Despite this, Hispanic and Latino Americans have faced significant challenges, including discrimination, segregation, and difficulties in maintaining their land holdings, political influence, and cultural traditions.

It is important to note that the URM admissions process can be complex and unclear, with varying levels of commitment from different academic institutions. URM status is just one factor in the admissions process, and it is important to consider other factors such as personal and professional goals, chances of admission, and geographical location when applying to academic institutions.

US citizens who are First Nation/American Indian are URM

The term URM stands for underrepresented minority, and it refers to groups of people who are underrepresented in a particular field or area. In the context of law school admissions in the United States, URMs typically include US citizens who identify as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, First Nation/American Indian, or Pacific Islander. These groups are considered URMs because their representation in law schools is much lower relative to their population in the United States.

US citizens who are First Nation/American Indian are considered URMs as they are underrepresented in law schools and other educational institutions. American Indians, the first people of the country, were the last to receive citizenship in 1924 when President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act. Despite having the same rights as all other citizens, including the right to hold public office, American Indians continue to face challenges due to historical injustices and systemic issues. For example, unhealthy food issued by the US government as part of treaty negotiations, combined with uneven access to quality healthcare, has negatively impacted the health of many American Indians. Additionally, federal policies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as the allotment policy, disrupted Native American reservations and further contributed to the challenges faced by this community.

The relationship between the US government and Native American tribes is based on the principle of government-to-government relations, with tribes retaining certain inherent powers of self-government as "domestic dependent nations." There are currently 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, and citizens of these tribes are eligible for various federal programs. However, American Indians still face barriers in areas such as voting rights, as some states do not automatically grant them eligibility to vote.

When it comes to law school admissions, US citizens who are First Nation/American Indian may be considered URMs, and this can be a factor in the admissions process. However, it is important to note that the URM status is just one of many factors considered by admissions committees, and it varies across different institutions. Other factors, such as LSAT scores, GPA, personal statements, and extracurricular activities, also play a significant role in the admissions decision. Therefore, while URM status can provide a slight advantage or increase visibility for certain applicants, it does not guarantee admission to a particular law school or program.

US citizens who are Pacific Islanders are URM

The definition of URM (Under-Represented Minority) is not set in stone and can vary from school to school. URM status is generally only given to US citizens, although some institutions may include permanent residents.

Pacific Islanders are often not considered URMs, as they are sometimes grouped with Asians, who are generally over-represented in the US population. However, some Pacific Islanders are Native Americans and so may be considered URMs. Native Hawaiians, for example, are indigenous people of the Hawaiian Islands and are therefore Native American.

Pacific Islanders make up 0.5% of the US population, or about 1.4 million people, and the largest ethnic subgroups are Native Hawaiians, Samoans, and Chamorros. Many Pacific Islander Americans are mixed with other races, especially Europeans and Asians, due to the small population of Pacific Islanders in several communities across the mainland US.

Pacific Islanders have been emigrating to the US since the 1910s, with the first Guamanians living in the US recorded in that decade. In the following years, small groups of people from islands such as Hawaii, Guam, Tonga, and American Samoa emigrated to the US, with many of them being Mormons. After World War II, there was a larger wave of emigration from these islands, with many emigrating for economic opportunities. In 1959, Hawaii became a state, and its natives gained US citizenship, adding over 630,000 people to the US population, many of whom were Pacific Islanders. In the 1960s, increased migration from Guam, Fiji, Tonga, and the Samoa archipelago to the US led to a diversification of the Pacific Islander population in the US. In the 1970s, over nine thousand Pacific Islanders migrated to the US, and in the 1980s, migration from the Pacific Islands became even more diversified.

Some top-tier schools, such as the University of Colorado, the University of Wisconsin, and UCSF, consider Pacific Islanders to be URM. If you believe that identifying as a Pacific Islander has influenced your decision to pursue medicine, you may want to write about it in your diversity essays.

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