Stanford: What the ....

Senior0991
Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:51:52 +0000

The problem is really it’s location. Stanford is in a state with a lot of Asians, and it appeals to a lot of international Asians because of its (relative) proximity to Asia and strength in math/science/engineering. Like tons of almost exclusively Asian tourists pass through Stanford every day. They probably go to Berkeley too if it’s on the way.

To avoid accepting drastic numbers of Asian applicants, they have to reject drastically more Asian applicants. This does not necessarily mean that they intentionally make it harder for Asian applicants, but the admissions office probably weighs factors that Asians are poor at more heavily (such things as being a URM, growing up on a farm, less focus on test scores and grades and more focus on other components of app, more focus on writing ability). Not to say Asians aren’t as interesting people as whites or hispanics, but maybe they have less thrilling life stories, or get put under the “overachiever” or “helicopter parent” label, which although that tells nothing about the person, does carry a negative stigma. When I say writing ability I meant for international Asians.

I’m probably generalizing a bit here, and I hope I don’t come off as racist. This is just the way I see things.

That said, Asians do get into Stanford and do so frequently. They tend to fit in with the rest of the student body: chill but studious, athletic, funny, well-intentioned, determined, etc. So if you fit those characteristics, regardless of race, you have a good shot assuming you’re academically up to snuff.

Asian grad students on the other hand? Haha that’s a way different story.