Non-stereotypical Asian -- Advice, please!

roxxy
Sun, 05 Aug 2007 21:35:21 +0000

I’m an Asian female living on the East Coast. I attend a competitive public magnet (ranked “Public Elite” by Newsweek) and maintain fairly solid grades (I did have a slip-up in sophomore year, however – a C+ in Honors Trig/Math Analysis; I know, ouch. Other than that, I’ve been getting mostly As and some B+s). My GPA is probably about 3.8-ish unweighted, and I’m taking all Honors and AP-level courses.

Here’s the thing: I am a lousy test-taker. I got in the low 2100s on my first go at the SAT in March of junior year, and when I retook in May, my score plummeted 90 points. I’m hoping to redeem myself in October with the ACT, for which I’ve been doing practice tests. It seems more straightforward than the SAT. My SAT Subject Test scores aren’t anything to brag about, either. And the Bs I mentioned above? They’re mainly in math and science courses (although I did get an A in AP Bio! Haha, felt like I had to add that).

I also gave up the piano after ten years right before entering 9th grade. I definitely haven’t done any major research or entered into any prestigious competitions. I hold a few leadership positions and have won only a couple awards. I’m not involved in too many clubs/ECs, but I have a couple ECs (not at all space-fillers) to which I’m very dedicated. I play a Varsity sport that takes up a lot of my time, too (I’ve lettered and gotten MVP).

I’m very interested in computers, graphic design, photography, and psychology and hope to major in one or two of those fields in college.

I’ve heard that Asians are held to a higher standard because so many tend to excel on standardized tests and the like. So my question is, would I be at a disadvantage at top schools because I “don’t make the cut” in that regard, or would my “un-Asian” traits be looked over because I’m different?

A vague and stupid question, but I’m just worried. Any advice/suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!