The Asian Disadvantage?

Dchang11
Sat, 08 Feb 2014 00:42:16 +0000

If you separate yourself from the stereotypes, you’ll have a higher chance of getting into the school of your choice. I am East Asian and did not fall under the stereotypes because I was a late academic bloomer and struggled during my freshman and sophomore years. Here were my academic/extracurricular credentials.

3.01 GPA (improved from a 2.5)
27 ACT, 1750 SAT
JV Football, Grade 9-11; Varsity 12
JV Swimming, Grade 9
Model UN, Grade 11,12
Youth Football Camp Counselor/Volunteer
Volunteer for Tzi Chi Foundation and Lee-Ming Cultural Association
Attended Chinese classes once a week
Georgetown Summer IR

*I did not take an honors level classes till junior year and a near-full honors course load w/one AP class during senior year. I also taught myself the APUSH curriculum in a period of two months and passed the AP Exam at the end of junior year, inspiring some high and low-achieving students. Sports commitments forced me to limit my extracurricular activities and many clubs at school was composed of people who committed just to beef their college resumes.

Although I was not targeting the schools considered top-tier, I got accepted to Temple, Penn State, Drexel, American, Seton Hall, and Delaware. I did not get a rejection letter and my guidance counselor was surprised I got into American since the majority of the acceptances were Ivy League rejects and top-tier bound students. Eventually I choose to attend American and enrolled in a International Relations program considered top-10 in the nation, beating half of the Ivies.

Tony Dungy says “Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man. I’m looking for uncommon people.” People have to find their own path to significance and admission officers are eying those who follow that path with a vision to succeed. If your credentials fall under the stereotype, you should write your admission essay that makes you stand out beyond the Asian crowd. If your able to do that, you will definitely have a higher chance of getting into your dream school.