What did I do wrong?

[renaissancedad]

I found this article about Harvard’s holistic admissions process interesting:

http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/harvarddean-part1/?_r=0

I found this part particularly intriguing:

The admissions committee is divided into 20 subcommittees grouped by geographic region and representing approximately an equal number of applications. Each subcommittee normally includes four to five members, a senior admissions officer, and faculty readers.

Once all applications have been read and the subcommittee process begins, the area representative acts as an advocate, and summarizes to the subcommittee the strengths of each candidate. Subcommittee members discuss the application, and then vote to recommend an action to the full Committee. Majorities rule, but the degree of support expressed for applicants is always noted to allow for comparisons with other subcommittees.

Subcommittees then present and defend their recommendations to the full committee. While reading or hearing the summary of any case, any committee member may raise questions about the proposed decision and request a full review of the case.

As an Asian male STEM applicant from California, the OP’s file would likely be reviewed by the same subcommittee as many other ridiculously qualified Asian male STEM applicants from California (or sub-area, depending on how California is divided). Realistically, they are only going to vigorously advocate for a small subset, so many extremely qualified applicants are going to be at a disadvantage. Applicants can’t change their gender, race, or geography, but they can change how they present themselves in order to stand out.

I personally think that the OP’s novel and ROTC interests were things that could have possibly distinguished him, so I don’t think it was a bad idea to emphasize those at all. How that was done, or whether it was enough to overcome the high level of competition from that sub-area.