<p>I think I posted something about recs, too. I think there’s a real possibility that some Asian kids get recs that say things like “always well-prepared, studious, polite,” etc. They might look positive if you read them in isolation, and the recommenders might think they are positive. But they might be a problem if the recommendation for another kid says, “innovative, creative thinker, always willing to challenge conventional approaches.” And while these might just be stereotypes that have no real relation to the different kids, it could be that these phrases might represent real differences between kids based on their cultures. It’s odd to say this, but it’s possible that one can be too polite and deferential to authority, at least if your goal is impressing teachers in this country.</p>