Parents of Asian-American Kids: What did you learn from the college admissions process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here are the lessons I learned.

If you are an Asian kid, you better have all of the following to get into a top 20 school if you are not a legacy kids, first gen kid or extremely low SES

1) Near perfect scores
2) Near perfect GPA (You realistically need to be in top 3% of your class, better if you are in the top 1%, specially if you are from a suburban public school)
3) Near perfect Subject Test scores

These three will just put you in the running. After that

4) Recommendation letters that say that "you are one of the best" the teacher has ever seen in his/her lifetime
5) An EC that is not too Asian. Like Piano, debate, passion for Robotics (unless you are a girl), etc. etc. will mean a big "Ding"
6) An EC that is grounded in a non-STEM field, where you have achieved at least state level recognition, preferably national level recognition


If you have these you stand a fighting chance. If you don't have these, set your sights lower or go to your state flagship. That's where admissions is today.

if that's the lesson you learned, then good for you.

my kid didn't have (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) and still got into two of HYPS, completely unhooked. good thing we didn't have the 'benefit' of your advice . . .

Asian American kids get in to schools with all, some or none of the criteria you list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are the lessons I learned.

If you are an Asian kid, you better have all of the following to get into a top 20 school if you are not a legacy kids, first gen kid or extremely low SES

1) Near perfect scores
2) Near perfect GPA (You realistically need to be in top 3% of your class, better if you are in the top 1%, specially if you are from a suburban public school)
3) Near perfect Subject Test scores

These three will just put you in the running. After that

4) Recommendation letters that say that "you are one of the best" the teacher has ever seen in his/her lifetime
5) An EC that is not too Asian. Like Piano, debate, passion for Robotics (unless you are a girl), etc. etc. will mean a big "Ding"
6) An EC that is grounded in a non-STEM field, where you have achieved at least state level recognition, preferably national level recognition


If you have these you stand a fighting chance. If you don't have these, set your sights lower or go to your state flagship. That's where admissions is today.

Dude. That’s where admissions are for unhooked UMC white kids too.

And 1/2 of the UMC white spots are taken up by legacies and athletes ... The reality is that no unhooked kids are getting into a Top20 school without amazing scores, ECs and a LOT of luck these days. The numbers are just against it. I think once you move away from that T20 where everyone is applying, you can have very good outcomes based on your merit regardless of race/ethnicity. Within the T20 bubble it might as well be lottery where amazing scores just get you a ticket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are the lessons I learned.

If you are an Asian kid, you better have all of the following to get into a top 20 school if you are not a legacy kids, first gen kid or extremely low SES

1) Near perfect scores
2) Near perfect GPA (You realistically need to be in top 3% of your class, better if you are in the top 1%, specially if you are from a suburban public school)
3) Near perfect Subject Test scores

These three will just put you in the running. After that

4) Recommendation letters that say that "you are one of the best" the teacher has ever seen in his/her lifetime
5) An EC that is not too Asian. Like Piano, debate, passion for Robotics (unless you are a girl), etc. etc. will mean a big "Ding"
6) An EC that is grounded in a non-STEM field, where you have achieved at least state level recognition, preferably national level recognition


If you have these you stand a fighting chance. If you don't have these, set your sights lower or go to your state flagship. That's where admissions is today.

if that's the lesson you learned, then good for you.

my kid didn't have (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) and still got into two of HYPS, completely unhooked. good thing we didn't have the 'benefit' of your advice . . .

Asian American kids get in to schools with all, some or none of the criteria you list.

I could see your kid is an Asian, but NOT from an affluent background. Elite colleges consider heavily and try to balance the socioeconomic background. Asians from affluent families, but not super-riches are the largest disadvantaged in the admissions process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are the lessons I learned.

If you are an Asian kid, you better have all of the following to get into a top 20 school if you are not a legacy kids, first gen kid or extremely low SES

1) Near perfect scores
2) Near perfect GPA (You realistically need to be in top 3% of your class, better if you are in the top 1%, specially if you are from a suburban public school)
3) Near perfect Subject Test scores

These three will just put you in the running. After that

4) Recommendation letters that say that "you are one of the best" the teacher has ever seen in his/her lifetime
5) An EC that is not too Asian. Like Piano, debate, passion for Robotics (unless you are a girl), etc. etc. will mean a big "Ding"
6) An EC that is grounded in a non-STEM field, where you have achieved at least state level recognition, preferably national level recognition


If you have these you stand a fighting chance. If you don't have these, set your sights lower or go to your state flagship. That's where admissions is today.

if that's the lesson you learned, then good for you.

my kid didn't have (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) and still got into two of HYPS, completely unhooked. good thing we didn't have the 'benefit' of your advice . . .

Asian American kids get in to schools with all, some or none of the criteria you list.

I could see your kid is an Asian, but NOT from an affluent background. Elite colleges consider heavily and try to balance the socioeconomic background. Asians from affluent families, but not super-riches are the largest disadvantaged in the admissions process.

Only in the Ivies. White UMC girls would often be more disadvantaged at SLACs. Most elsewhere it's a matter of scores/GPA/rigorous courseload and maybe leadership/honors&awards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are the lessons I learned.

If you are an Asian kid, you better have all of the following to get into a top 20 school if you are not a legacy kids, first gen kid or extremely low SES

1) Near perfect scores
2) Near perfect GPA (You realistically need to be in top 3% of your class, better if you are in the top 1%, specially if you are from a suburban public school)
3) Near perfect Subject Test scores

These three will just put you in the running. After that

4) Recommendation letters that say that "you are one of the best" the teacher has ever seen in his/her lifetime
5) An EC that is not too Asian. Like Piano, debate, passion for Robotics (unless you are a girl), etc. etc. will mean a big "Ding"
6) An EC that is grounded in a non-STEM field, where you have achieved at least state level recognition, preferably national level recognition


If you have these you stand a fighting chance. If you don't have these, set your sights lower or go to your state flagship. That's where admissions is today.

if that's the lesson you learned, then good for you.

my kid didn't have (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) and still got into two of HYPS, completely unhooked. good thing we didn't have the 'benefit' of your advice . . .

Asian American kids get in to schools with all, some or none of the criteria you list.

I could see your kid is an Asian, but NOT from an affluent background. Elite colleges consider heavily and try to balance the socioeconomic background. Asians from affluent families, but not super-riches are the largest disadvantaged in the admissions process.

We're full pay, but not super rich. Nice try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are the lessons I learned.

If you are an Asian kid, you better have all of the following to get into a top 20 school if you are not a legacy kids, first gen kid or extremely low SES

1) Near perfect scores
2) Near perfect GPA (You realistically need to be in top 3% of your class, better if you are in the top 1%, specially if you are from a suburban public school)
3) Near perfect Subject Test scores

These three will just put you in the running. After that

4) Recommendation letters that say that "you are one of the best" the teacher has ever seen in his/her lifetime
5) An EC that is not too Asian. Like Piano, debate, passion for Robotics (unless you are a girl), etc. etc. will mean a big "Ding"
6) An EC that is grounded in a non-STEM field, where you have achieved at least state level recognition, preferably national level recognition


If you have these you stand a fighting chance. If you don't have these, set your sights lower or go to your state flagship. That's where admissions is today.

What EC is not too Asian? ballet for boys?

and I'm left wondering... I thought the stereotype for Asian Americans was that they couldn't communicate or speak publicly, but now being Asian and in debate team is considered a stereotype? Dang it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are the lessons I learned.

If you are an Asian kid, you better have all of the following to get into a top 20 school if you are not a legacy kids, first gen kid or extremely low SES

1) Near perfect scores
2) Near perfect GPA (You realistically need to be in top 3% of your class, better if you are in the top 1%, specially if you are from a suburban public school)
3) Near perfect Subject Test scores

These three will just put you in the running. After that

4) Recommendation letters that say that "you are one of the best" the teacher has ever seen in his/her lifetime
5) An EC that is not too Asian. Like Piano, debate, passion for Robotics (unless you are a girl), etc. etc. will mean a big "Ding"
6) An EC that is grounded in a non-STEM field, where you have achieved at least state level recognition, preferably national level recognition


If you have these you stand a fighting chance. If you don't have these, set your sights lower or go to your state flagship. That's where admissions is today.

What EC is not too Asian? ballet for boys?

and I'm left wondering... I thought the stereotype for Asian Americans was that they couldn't communicate or speak publicly, but now being Asian and in debate team is considered a stereotype? Dang it.

This is just uninformed paranoia run amok. The most important thing is that your kid do something they enjoy and do it well. It doesn't matter what it is. Asian kids get into HYPS who are into math and physics and who play piano and cello. The thing that mattered was that they loved it and were very good at it. Do many kids with that profile get rejected? Of course, but so do 96% of applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are the lessons I learned.

If you are an Asian kid, you better have all of the following to get into a top 20 school if you are not a legacy kids, first gen kid or extremely low SES

1) Near perfect scores
2) Near perfect GPA (You realistically need to be in top 3% of your class, better if you are in the top 1%, specially if you are from a suburban public school)
3) Near perfect Subject Test scores

These three will just put you in the running. After that

4) Recommendation letters that say that "you are one of the best" the teacher has ever seen in his/her lifetime
5) An EC that is not too Asian. Like Piano, debate, passion for Robotics (unless you are a girl), etc. etc. will mean a big "Ding"
6) An EC that is grounded in a non-STEM field, where you have achieved at least state level recognition, preferably national level recognition


If you have these you stand a fighting chance. If you don't have these, set your sights lower or go to your state flagship. That's where admissions is today.

What EC is not too Asian? ballet for boys?

and I'm left wondering... I thought the stereotype for Asian Americans was that they couldn't communicate or speak publicly, but now being Asian and in debate team is considered a stereotype? Dang it.

This is just uninformed paranoia run amok. The most important thing is that your kid do something they enjoy and do it well. It doesn't matter what it is. Asian kids get into HYPS who are into math and physics and who play piano and cello. The thing that mattered was that they loved it and were very good at it. Do many kids with that profile get rejected? Of course, but so do 96% of applicants.

Please tell us something we don't know. Obviously, you are not even an Asian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are the lessons I learned.

If you are an Asian kid, you better have all of the following to get into a top 20 school if you are not a legacy kids, first gen kid or extremely low SES

1) Near perfect scores
2) Near perfect GPA (You realistically need to be in top 3% of your class, better if you are in the top 1%, specially if you are from a suburban public school)
3) Near perfect Subject Test scores

These three will just put you in the running. After that

4) Recommendation letters that say that "you are one of the best" the teacher has ever seen in his/her lifetime
5) An EC that is not too Asian. Like Piano, debate, passion for Robotics (unless you are a girl), etc. etc. will mean a big "Ding"
6) An EC that is grounded in a non-STEM field, where you have achieved at least state level recognition, preferably national level recognition


If you have these you stand a fighting chance. If you don't have these, set your sights lower or go to your state flagship. That's where admissions is today.

What EC is not too Asian? ballet for boys?

and I'm left wondering... I thought the stereotype for Asian Americans was that they couldn't communicate or speak publicly, but now being Asian and in debate team is considered a stereotype? Dang it.

This is just uninformed paranoia run amok. The most important thing is that your kid do something they enjoy and do it well. It doesn't matter what it is. Asian kids get into HYPS who are into math and physics and who play piano and cello. The thing that mattered was that they loved it and were very good at it. Do many kids with that profile get rejected? Of course, but so do 96% of applicants.

Please tell us something we don't know. Obviously, you are not even an Asian.

Only when I look in the mirror.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are the lessons I learned.

If you are an Asian kid, you better have all of the following to get into a top 20 school if you are not a legacy kids, first gen kid or extremely low SES

1) Near perfect scores
2) Near perfect GPA (You realistically need to be in top 3% of your class, better if you are in the top 1%, specially if you are from a suburban public school)
3) Near perfect Subject Test scores

These three will just put you in the running. After that

4) Recommendation letters that say that "you are one of the best" the teacher has ever seen in his/her lifetime
5) An EC that is not too Asian. Like Piano, debate, passion for Robotics (unless you are a girl), etc. etc. will mean a big "Ding"
6) An EC that is grounded in a non-STEM field, where you have achieved at least state level recognition, preferably national level recognition


If you have these you stand a fighting chance. If you don't have these, set your sights lower or go to your state flagship. That's where admissions is today.

What EC is not too Asian? ballet for boys?

and I'm left wondering... I thought the stereotype for Asian Americans was that they couldn't communicate or speak publicly, but now being Asian and in debate team is considered a stereotype? Dang it.

Bud, you are living in ancient times. Catch up with the present time and you will realize Asians are doing so well in all debate formats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are the lessons I learned.

If you are an Asian kid, you better have all of the following to get into a top 20 school if you are not a legacy kids, first gen kid or extremely low SES

1) Near perfect scores
2) Near perfect GPA (You realistically need to be in top 3% of your class, better if you are in the top 1%, specially if you are from a suburban public school)
3) Near perfect Subject Test scores

These three will just put you in the running. After that

4) Recommendation letters that say that "you are one of the best" the teacher has ever seen in his/her lifetime
5) An EC that is not too Asian. Like Piano, debate, passion for Robotics (unless you are a girl), etc. etc. will mean a big "Ding"
6) An EC that is grounded in a non-STEM field, where you have achieved at least state level recognition, preferably national level recognition


If you have these you stand a fighting chance. If you don't have these, set your sights lower or go to your state flagship. That's where admissions is today.

What EC is not too Asian? ballet for boys?

and I'm left wondering... I thought the stereotype for Asian Americans was that they couldn't communicate or speak publicly, but now being Asian and in debate team is considered a stereotype? Dang it.

Bud, you are living in ancient times. Catch up with the present time and you will realize Asians are doing so well in all debate formats.

Then what's with all the posts about how so many Asian students don't know how to communicate?

[Anonymous]

Why is there no daylight between top 20 and state flagship?

America is graced with TONS of quality schools beyond the top 20, unless you are wed to rankings instead of finding the best academic home for YOUR CHILD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are the lessons I learned.

If you are an Asian kid, you better have all of the following to get into a top 20 school if you are not a legacy kids, first gen kid or extremely low SES

1) Near perfect scores
2) Near perfect GPA (You realistically need to be in top 3% of your class, better if you are in the top 1%, specially if you are from a suburban public school)
3) Near perfect Subject Test scores

These three will just put you in the running. After that

4) Recommendation letters that say that "you are one of the best" the teacher has ever seen in his/her lifetime
5) An EC that is not too Asian. Like Piano, debate, passion for Robotics (unless you are a girl), etc. etc. will mean a big "Ding"
6) An EC that is grounded in a non-STEM field, where you have achieved at least state level recognition, preferably national level recognition


If you have these you stand a fighting chance. If you don't have these, set your sights lower or go to your state flagship. That's where admissions is today.

if that's the lesson you learned, then good for you.

my kid didn't have (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) and still got into two of HYPS, completely unhooked. good thing we didn't have the 'benefit' of your advice . . .

Asian American kids get in to schools with all, some or none of the criteria you list.

I could see your kid is an Asian, but NOT from an affluent background. Elite colleges consider heavily and try to balance the socioeconomic background. Asians from affluent families, but not super-riches are the largest disadvantaged in the admissions process.

We're full pay, but not super rich. Nice try.

Then you must have some other hooks, like an Asian country with low representation, first-gen, athlete, etc. Not possible a "complete unhooked" because you don't know what counts for hook.

[Anonymous]

So, I guess your ultimate argument is that you cannot be wrong.

Bet that comes in handy.

[Anonymous]

Competitive victimhood. What is this country coming to? Even more amazing is who is doing the victimizing. People of the same political persuasion of the victims!

It's time to get out the pitchforks and make a run at those hypocrites causing all this crap.