<p>Hi, I am an asian (sri lankan) student who is wondering whether a photo would bring prejudice to my application. I have read that in the American Education System, most people are most prejudice to indians, because high school teaches that india is a poor, religious, socialistic, and anti-women country. I’m afraid the adcom may think I just look like every other indian (or sri lankan) kid, and may view my application worse. Don’t try to cheer me up unless you honestly think a photo will help. If you don’t think it will, please explain why, I really want to hear. My guidance counselor wants me to send one, but I am not sure. I don’t think I’m ugly, but they may see differently. I am applying to a few ivies and some top-tier schools. Thanks.</p>
<p>It’s a pretty controversial matter…Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of several factors including national origin, but at the same time, colleges want to even out the distribution of nationalities (as opposed to too many whites or too many foreigners).</p>
<p>[College</a> admissions in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“College admissions in the United States - Wikipedia”>College admissions in the United States - Wikipedia)
The above link redirects to “Race and Ethnicity.”</p>
<p>As for the photo, I’m not sure it’ll help. I don’t think they’ll view you worse than other applicants, it’s just that the admissions is much more competitive than for other minorities, say Native American.</p>
<p>" I have read that in the American Education System, most people are most prejudice to indians, because high school teaches that india is a poor, religious, socialistic, and anti-women country"</p>
<p>C’mon. South Asians are in droves on every campus in this country. Indian, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh. What you’ve read is incorrect.</p>
<p>Agree with T26E4 - and my kids are South Indian. There are disproportionately more Asians on US college campuses than other ethnic groups because they are disproportionately from more highly educated families and from families that value education and will therefore pay for it. Send the photo if they ask for it - and try to make it an interesting one rather than the usual boring headshot (unless they specified that it had to be a headshot). D’s photo for a school that requested it showed her diving off a dock, in full flight.</p>