How to be less 'Asian' ?

jamescchen
Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:20:48 +0000

Skip the Ron Paul.

The “Asian Robot” syndrome is a tough label to remove. Basically, you have to approach the application process differently than a white student. You just can’t write about your dream about solving world hunger that hit you as your family went on a month-long safari tour of Africa. Well, you could do that, but then your chances of getting into a top school without any hooks are much lower than the published data.

You’ve got to prove that you’re not an Asian Robot without making the topic of your main essay, “I am not an Asian Robot”. You’ve got to avoid the cliched “Be Yourself” suggestions about writing your essay. If you “be yourself”, then you’re saying to the admissions committee, “Accept me Ms. White Admissions Director, I am the best Asian Robot”. You do like math, after all.

My suggestion is to think out of the box. Apply to smaller liberal arts colleges. Free advice: Select “undecided” for your major. Another tip: Become a much better writer. More to follow…