<p>I’m not Asian, I’m a Greek girl ._.</p>
<p>Mizura, if you can write strong, passionate essays about your EC’s, you’ll be in a good spot. Other than that, don’t worry too much about it.</p>
<p>What the heck did Beretta’s post have to do with any of this?</p>
<p>What about writing about an EC if it is a sport, a sport you might be recruited for? Or at least walk on to?</p>
<p>Agree on most parts.</p>
<p>As for the “marginal differences on standardized tests could help,” true that. I don’t think they should be overlooked, but I don’t think that people should put so much emphasis to make a 2350+ into a 2400, because those figures are simply one out of many, many factors.</p>
<p>Unfortunately I am an Asian person having played piano for thirteen years (won many awards though, one of them international), president of a few clubs, etc. Unweighted 3.9 GPA weighted 4.2, took the most rigorous courses I could. However, my standardized test scores are mediocre -___- </p>
<p>But I would completely heed your advice and make my otherwise mundane achievements look special 
thanks so much.</p>
<p>I like this thread a lot. I’m interested in what you said about typical asian activities, because I do almost all of them, and I’m not asian. I’m white; I never really tried to be asian or anything, they just happened to be the things that I liked to do/excelled in/was interested in.</p>
<p>So, I like to read, swim (although I’m not a master at it and I do it rarely), play piano, play chess, and study/do math and science. How can I be unique in these areas + excel in them? How can I stand out from the other high percentage of kids who are applying to the schools I’m interested in w/ the same credentials/ECs?</p>
<p>What EC’s would you suggest for a senior looking into the social sciences to show demonstrated interests?</p>
<p>OP, congratulations on your accomplishments and hard work. I can’t say that I necessarily agree with your attitude on the process, but I hope you will be happy at the school you chose.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Become so good at them that colleges can’t ignore you (to paraphrase Cal Newport). If you are nationally ranked in tennis/chess/piano and/or do really well in science math competitions and research, then you will standout just because of your achievement in those areas.</p>
<p>@HitMan: But I have only started these ECs this year; it will be very difficult for me to balance out getting good grades and doing my ECs. Assuming I won’t get nationally recognized/good enough to participate and win prestigious competitions in those areas, how else can I stand out?</p>
<p>Wow, while I don’t know whether all this is officially true, I laud this poster, and should say it sounds overall like the picture I have in mind. Shall I just say,</p>
<p><<political correctness,=“” as=“” much=“” i=“” despise=“” it,=“” does=“” matter=“” in=“” these=“” essays.=“” if=“” you=“” can=“” make=“” the=“” adcoms=“” laugh,=“” you’re=“” already=“” one=“” huge=“” step=“” ahead=“” of=“” everyone=“” else.=“” think=“” “hmm,=“” i’ve=“” never=“” thought=“” it=“” that=“” way”=“” or=“” “oh,=“” what=“” a=“” cool=“” idea,”=“” then=“” definitely=“” good=“” spot.=“” also=“” remember,=“” it’s=“” about=“” standing=“” out.=“” seen=“” very=“” successful=“” essay=“” written=“” form=“” play=“” –=“” fell=“” swoop,=“” applicant=“” showed=“” his=“” personality=“” while=“” demonstrating=“” skill=“” and=“” passion=“” playwright.=“”>></political></p>
<p>is sort of what I wish were less the trend than I have grown to suspect.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Shravas, let’s not forget - the SAT IIs are full of flaws, we all know this. But they are currently our standardized testing measure. I think unfortunately, because an 800 on Math II is so easy to achieve in general, it would be silly not to consider differences in scores of 40-50 points if we’re to consider score differences at all. After all, the logic that you’re “epsilon away, so it’s basically the same” fails because a lot of epsilons in our case really take you far away from the initial target. </p>
<p>If I had to have it my way, as I’ve posted all over the place, I’d get rid of these tests in favor of better tests. And realistically, college admissions doesn’t seem just about penalizing, it’s about selecting candidates, and frankly doing well on a generally harder test is a good thing, while doing well on a very easy test should not be given much weight. </p>
<p>In general I agree with you that the situation here is absurd, but given the limitations of what is available, I agree that the way should be as the OP outlined.</p>
<p>about the essays, I have to say I agree more w/ Lirazel than OP, especially if you have a “familiar” EC/award that adcoms would recognize and understand quickly, there’s nbot much of a point in writing an essay about it. Generally they know the activity and they know the type of person who does it, spend your precious essay space on something more unique. </p>
<p>Also, about the writing about your culture no-no for Asians, I think it’s all in how you do it. I’ve read essays on heritage that I felt were very superficial because they feel like a tourist souvenier in terms of how “Asian” this person actually is but I chose to write my supplemental essay on it anyway. It’s not the best thing written but it’s one of the sbest that I’ve written. Yes, some topicsa are overdone but I think sincerity trumps overdoing the uniqueness. You do NOT want to look like you’re trying too hard.</p>
<p>In terms of being unique in the area of chess: How does hosting a chess class/club at an elementary school afterschool sound (I’d be teaching younger kids how to play)? Any other thoughts?..</p>
<p>This thread deserves a bump.</p>
<p>I don’t agree this thread should be bumped. OP is ONE student who did well in the admissions process. That doesn’t make him an expert on anything, though he purports to be an expert on everything. (He doesn’t even know why he was accepted–no one ever does.) His experience is severely limited. His original post is, literally, one man’s opinion. There are lots of opinions here on CC, many from knowledgeable and experienced parents, adcoms, etc. One pontificating 18-year-old’s opinions shouldn’t be given particular attention, and other students shouldn’t be seeking his advice on how to run their lives.</p>
<p>And yours too is an opinion…</p>
<p>I am ranked in top 5 of a national junior tennis competition and I’m Asian. Does it mean I shouldn’t list it on my application?</p>
<p>^ You should definitely list it. Also, if you’re good enough to be in the top 5 in a national competition, you must have spent hours every week training and days every month competing in tournaments, and will want to list tennis as an activity on the Common Applicaton. It wouldn’t make sense to leave out such a big part of your life.</p>
<p>Originially poasted by muffinish, post #4:</p>
<p>“I mostly agree with your points. But it must have been nice to be able to afford a well-respected college admissions consultant”. </p>
<p>Why the “But”? Is there something wrong with the OP being able to afford a well-respected college admissions consultant?</p>
<p>while i agree with many of the things you wrote, i dont believe winning a bunch of awards in piano or math and physics arn’t advantageous. Sure it will help to be unique, but it is not bad to appear asian. it will certainly place you above the other demographics who tend to lack these credentials.</p>