"The academic achievement gap between the admitted white and Asian students and those designated as "underrepresented minorities" is often huge, in statistical terms often exceeding a full standard deviation (equivalent to a 600 vs. a 700 on each of the sections of the SAT exam)."

Sounds like a significant degree to me. Should the OP pretend not to notice this is happening?

I know it doesn't cite sources, but neither do you.