Hello,
I am a Chinese applicant who has never gone to school in my home country. This has led me to think that my application may be looked at differently compared to someone who has lived in Beijing their whole life.
Specifically, I’ve spent a handful of years in New York City, Cairo, and Nairobi.
I’d like to ask how much difference geographical location/diversity makes in admissions when coupled with an ORM applicant. Also, how should I accentuate my unique story in my application?
One important factor to note is that I moved from Cairo to Nairobi right after 10th grade.
Thank you.
This may be college-specific, but in general, the more selective the school, the less geographical diversity will impact an international applicant, and certainly your brief time in Kenya will not be something that screams “Admit” to an AO.
That said, your life story may make for some interesting essays that potentially could benefit you.
@skieurope, can you think of any other ways for me to differentiate myself from other Chinese applicants? I know that the pool is already very competitive.
With acknowledgement to @Knowsstuff who gave this advice on another thread:
That’s all you can do. There is no magic formula, so don’t try the “sling stuff against the wall and see what sticks” approach, because that won’t work.
The essay is where you’ll accentuate your unique story – are you writing about your life growing up internationally or something that highlights it?
@CCEdit_Torrey, I am writing about that and relating it to my interest in music.
Rather than giving a grand overview of ‘international citizenship’, I’m planning to describe what it feels like to not fit in (racially and culturally) anywhere I go.
The essay isn’t meant to accentuate your story. Rather, to show more about you than the rest of the app can. It should show some of the attributes the college wants. That’s different.
However, nothing stops you from using Cairo or Nairobi and their realities as the setting for the narrative. Try to know the traits that should come through.
In other threads, kids have asked if living in various countries (or speaking several languages) helps their apps. Not really. You still need to stand out for the right qualities and accomplishments. And perspective and your own thinking.
Will it counter being Asian? Well, I don’t hold to Asian being an issue, if you offer the full picture a top college wants to see.
Here’s the issue about international geo diversity, though. If they have lots of current students from Kenya, they may be more interested in other nearby countries, this year. Just as, if Kenya were now under-represented, they’d want to add kids from there.
Ps. It’s not how you felt you didn’t fit in. The point is how you overcame that. What about you turned this around, did some good. Not just your discomfort. And not how music counters those feelings. Rather, what impact you did achieve, how you bridged cultures and other ideas. Active.
@lookingforward, I definitely agree. The positive aspects of this will be put in the center stage.