I am well aware I must differentiate myself academically from other Asians to have a chance at prestigious institutions, but does differentiating myself socially have any effect? I am not like the stereotypical Asian, studying several hours per day, not athletic or any others etc. I live in a fairly unpopulated, not competitive state with an emphasis on wilderness, outdoorsiness, (think montana, new hampshire, maine type) not telling for anonymity reasons. I also have a dog which not many Asians have. If I emphasized this nature side of me, “exploring the woods with my dog” “lots of time outside” as opposed to completely intellectual essays, would I be able to differentiate myself in anyway? I want to show that while I am Asian and have the good stats, I am not obsessed with academics and have a very relaxed mentality.
kjake2000- I’m not entirely sure how admissions work but, they should not decide to accept you or not based on racial stereotypes. If you are a hardworking person who can show them you are a good fit for their school, you will get in.
I didn’t realize Asian families don’t have dogs. Never realized that. What about cats?
To the OP, I don’t think you need to make explicit attempt to differentiate yourself from other Asians. If you do like hiking or rock climbing and other outdoor activities, then you should mention it. Unless your activities are focused on violin, piano and math club, you don’t worry about being seen as overly Asian.
Um. You should probably know that being a dog lover and enjoying nature won’t differentiate you from other Asians. I don’t know whom you associate with, but we are no more socially inept than any other group, you know. That said, it is generally helpful to cultivate “unique” academic/extracurricular interests.
@supercilious I am not implying that Asians are socially inept, I am Asian and know well that we have social abilities. I am sorry if my message came out this way.
I understand that you are saying that you want to differentiate yourself from “typical” Asian EC’s and hyper-academic pursuits.
I get it.
We live in Silicon Valley and I know exactly what you are talking about.
Asian families really tend to focus on academic summers and clubs, classical instruments, test scores, GPA, etc.
It’s just a fact.
To demonstrate YOUR interests and talents you should do what YOU like.
Hiking/backpacking trips or clubs or maybe train your dog to be a “furry friend” comfort animal.
Or try theater.
These might set you apart from possible stereotyping in admissions decisions.
I’d recommend you focus on who you are. In your case, if that means a good student with interesting ECs who is on the laid back side, likes to hike and hang with the family dog, lives in (Colorado/Alaska/wherever), and happens to be Asian American, be confident that colleges will give you full consideration. Good luck!
Plenty of Asian families have dogs. What a strange thing to say. Adcoms are never going to care about your pet ownership, unless you write an interesting essay about your pet tarantula I guess.
Look at the LACs. They tend to not have so many Asian applicants.
Confused by the dog comment (I have a dog. Most of my asian friends do as well. I have white friends without dogs. Literally no correlation between race and dog ownership.)
Just be yourself. Don’t try to mold your application to avoid being a stereotype. And please, don’t spread them. If you absolutely must seperate yourself from “other Asians” pick up some weird EC. But guess what? That’ll seperate you from ALL applicants, not just Asian ones.
Just be yourself and do the things you like, no matter its math club or science bowl. Do not weaken your strengths trying to strengthen your weakness. There is nothing wrong with being reserve or introvert, its as good as being blunt or extrovert. Football isn’t any better than chess. If you let people walk all over you, they’ll only complaint that you aren’t flat enough. If its meant to be then you’ll find success through whichever school really wants you, not through one that makes you a pretender fibbing his way up. Our world looks better as a rainbow, monochrome is too plain and boring. Don’t try to be someone you are not just to defy stereotypes that small minded people impose on others, you don’t need to live by their rules. Walk the dog and jog the trail and hike the mountain if it makes you happy, not because it makes you a non stereotypical Asian some stupid adcoms may approve of.
LACS have tons of Asian applicants. Liking the outdoors is not what separates you from the pack. You have to show some accomplishment in an area very un-Asian, like are you a basketball star, like Jeremy Lin? Are you a poll vaulter? Did you win a national comedian championship or something like that? Are you a champion nationally ranked skiier?