What does URM mean in UNIVERSITIES

An Under Represented Minority, or URM, is a person who has been historically underrepresented in governmental and educational institutions. This term primarily refers to individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups that experience systematic discrimination in the United States.

Generally speaking, URMs are people who meet any of the following criteria: they identify as Hispanic American/Latino American, African American/Black American, Native American (or Alaskan Native), Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA), or Native Hawaiian. Apart from race/ethnicity, some may also include those who are LGBTQ+, have disabilities, or come from rural areas.

URMs often face disadvantages when attempting to gain access to higher education due to historical patterns of poverty, inadequate resources for proper schooling, and lack of access to consistent mentorship opportunities for college admissions. They can also face difficulty obtaining employment due to recruiting bias within many companies based on their race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

Financial aid can be essential for URMs since tuition costs are often disproportionately high relative to their incomes. This can put earning a degree out of reach without additional support such as scholarships designed specifically to help low-income students pay for college expenses like room and board as well as textbooks and fees.

Yes! There are several organizations available that provide support services such as tutoring programs; SAT/ACT prep classes; college academic counseling; mentoring programs; career guidance services; leadership development workshops; internships; fellowships targeting minorities; application assistance with job searches, graduate school applications and scholarship applications, among others resources tailored towards assisting URMs achieve success throughout their academic endeavors.