Underrepresented states at top colleges: Do I stand a better chance?

I read somewhere that being from an underrepresented state can increase your chances of getting into top colleges. I'm from a somewhat obscure state, so I'm curious if that's true and how much weight it holds in college admissions?

From what we know about college admissions, geographic diversity does tend to matter and may influence the decision-making process. To be clear, being from an underrepresented state is one of the factors colleges might consider in the interest of diversity, but it won't be the determining factor of your admission. Admissions officers are always looking for bright, motivated students no matter where they come from.

Specifically regarding top-tier colleges, they often aim to create a class with students from all 50 states and many countries. If you're from a state that's underrepresented in their student body, your application might stand out a little more purely on the basis of geographic diversity – but it's not a guarantee of any kind.

The critical factor is how you’ve taken advantage of the opportunities available to you in your ‘obscure’ state. For instance, if you've shown leadership, academic rigor, community involvement and other qualities that colleges value, being from an underrepresented state could be the slight edge that sets your application apart in a pool of similarly qualified candidates.

Remember though, your overall academic and extracurricular profile, essays, and letters of recommendation play a far greater role in the admissions process than your state of residence. It's certainly advantageous to come from a less common state, but without a strong application backing it up, it won't be enough to secure an acceptance.