Top Stats students that had difficult admissions last year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somewhat surprisingly, my black daughter with a 4.0 and 35 ACT (one sitting) didn't get into Berkeley OOS for engineering, albeit the ACT score wasn't submitted.

Why would you not submit such a high ACT score?

Berkeley doesn’t take test scores

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somewhat surprisingly, my black daughter with a 4.0 and 35 ACT (one sitting) didn't get into Berkeley OOS for engineering, albeit the ACT score wasn't submitted.

Why would you not submit such a high ACT score?

Berkeley doesn’t take test scores

Or letters, for the most part

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people who are delusional about the importance of essays and recommendations. They aren’t difference makers unless they are really bad.

Ultimately it is important your kid do a good job on the application so as to not wind up on the bad category, but the difference makers are mostly out of your child’s control at this point. They’re going to be compared to their class mates and kids from similar local schools. The school may want kids looking for a certain major or that have a certain talent (e.g. a harpist). But mostly it’s just a numbers game.

Hard disagree. If you are applying to T20 colleges - where every single applicant is going to have stellar academics - the essays and the letters of recommendation are hugely important. This is where you have a chance to get the reader on your side so they argue for you at the table. It's important. The essay is the one place on an application where the student can really show who they are. And personalized letters of recommendation from teachers who know the students help schools feel confident in extending an acceptance. It's foolish to ignore essays and letters of recommendation. They are very often the difference makers at highly selective schools that accept fewer than 10 percent of all applicants.

I have two kids at T20 universities presently. Both spent a lot of time on their essays. Very unique. Very funny. Very well written. I'm convinced the essays and really good letters of rec - plus exceptionally good ECs - are what distinguished them from all the other unhooked applicants with outstanding GPAs and test scores.

I have 2 kids at T10 universities and I am guessing their essays were good. I have no idea if that helped or not. How can anyone? In sheer number- it seems impossible that the admissions staff can read the volume of essays which are in the 10s of thousands. I truly don’t believe every essay gets read. 3-4 mins per application, correct?

I think the letters of recommendation have some weight. Best of the best stuff helps, I think. That, IMO, is why my kids were accepted. Their objective stats are similar to many, many applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Yes. Engineering and CS are incredibly difficult admits for white and asian young men.

Instead of CS, I would recommend looking into data analytics/statistics or even better (applied) math… you will have a better foundation this way. You can always take some extra classes. I studied economics&econometrics and ended up at a FAANG anyway. You don’t have to be a CS major, if you want to work in tech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS Teacher

My top students with multiple waitlists/rejections were all asian males. They ended up at (good) state schools but by and large were rejected by privates.

raise hand.. that was my CS Asian male. Very high stats. Now at a state flagship with merit.

They would have probably gotten amazing merit at second tier privates.

My Asian kid did, because they seek diversity.

? the flagship is very diverse.

Flagships are usually HS 2.0

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people who are delusional about the importance of essays and recommendations. They aren’t difference makers unless they are really bad.

Ultimately it is important your kid do a good job on the application so as to not wind up on the bad category, but the difference makers are mostly out of your child’s control at this point. They’re going to be compared to their class mates and kids from similar local schools. The school may want kids looking for a certain major or that have a certain talent (e.g. a harpist). But mostly it’s just a numbers game.

Hard disagree. If you are applying to T20 colleges - where every single applicant is going to have stellar academics - the essays and the letters of recommendation are hugely important. This is where you have a chance to get the reader on your side so they argue for you at the table. It's important. The essay is the one place on an application where the student can really show who they are. And personalized letters of recommendation from teachers who know the students help schools feel confident in extending an acceptance. It's foolish to ignore essays and letters of recommendation. They are very often the difference makers at highly selective schools that accept fewer than 10 percent of all applicants.

I have two kids at T20 universities presently. Both spent a lot of time on their essays. Very unique. Very funny. Very well written. I'm convinced the essays and really good letters of rec - plus exceptionally good ECs - are what distinguished them from all the other unhooked applicants with outstanding GPAs and test scores.

I have 2 kids at T10 universities and I am guessing their essays were good. I have no idea if that helped or not. How can anyone? In sheer number- it seems impossible that the admissions staff can read the volume of essays which are in the 10s of thousands. I truly don’t believe every essay gets read. 3-4 mins per application, correct?

I think the letters of recommendation have some weight. Best of the best stuff helps, I think. That, IMO, is why my kids were accepted. Their objective stats are similar to many, many applicants.

Since your kids were admitted, if they wish they can see their admissions file. They can't take it with them or make copies, but they can see it, if you are truly interested.

I don't recommend that.

There are you tube videos of a few kids that did if you want to see them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people who are delusional about the importance of essays and recommendations. They aren’t difference makers unless they are really bad.

Ultimately it is important your kid do a good job on the application so as to not wind up on the bad category, but the difference makers are mostly out of your child’s control at this point. They’re going to be compared to their class mates and kids from similar local schools. The school may want kids looking for a certain major or that have a certain talent (e.g. a harpist). But mostly it’s just a numbers game.

Hard disagree. If you are applying to T20 colleges - where every single applicant is going to have stellar academics - the essays and the letters of recommendation are hugely important. This is where you have a chance to get the reader on your side so they argue for you at the table. It's important. The essay is the one place on an application where the student can really show who they are. And personalized letters of recommendation from teachers who know the students help schools feel confident in extending an acceptance. It's foolish to ignore essays and letters of recommendation. They are very often the difference makers at highly selective schools that accept fewer than 10 percent of all applicants.

I have two kids at T20 universities presently. Both spent a lot of time on their essays. Very unique. Very funny. Very well written. I'm convinced the essays and really good letters of rec - plus exceptionally good ECs - are what distinguished them from all the other unhooked applicants with outstanding GPAs and test scores.

I have 2 kids at T10 universities and I am guessing their essays were good. I have no idea if that helped or not. How can anyone? In sheer number- it seems impossible that the admissions staff can read the volume of essays which are in the 10s of thousands. I truly don’t believe every essay gets read. 3-4 mins per application, correct?

I think the letters of recommendation have some weight. Best of the best stuff helps, I think. That, IMO, is why my kids were accepted. Their objective stats are similar to many, many applicants.

Since your kids were admitted, if they wish they can see their admissions file. They can't take it with them or make copies, but they can see it, if you are truly interested.

I don't recommend that.

There are you tube videos of a few kids that did if you want to see them.

They would have absolutely no interest in that. I’m not sure why anyone would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS Teacher

My top students with multiple waitlists/rejections were all asian males. They ended up at (good) state schools but by and large were rejected by privates.

raise hand.. that was my CS Asian male. Very high stats. Now at a state flagship with merit.

They would have probably gotten amazing merit at second tier privates.

My Asian kid did, because they seek diversity.

? the flagship is very diverse.

Flagships are usually HS 2.0

ok, and? The vast majority of kids go to an in state college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS Teacher

My top students with multiple waitlists/rejections were all asian males. They ended up at (good) state schools but by and large were rejected by privates.

raise hand.. that was my CS Asian male. Very high stats. Now at a state flagship with merit.

They would have probably gotten amazing merit at second tier privates.

My Asian kid did, because they seek diversity.

? the flagship is very diverse.

Flagships are usually HS 2.0

Only if you let it. Going from 1,500 to 25,000 students certainly gives you ample opportunity to avoid that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people who are delusional about the importance of essays and recommendations. They aren’t difference makers unless they are really bad.

Ultimately it is important your kid do a good job on the application so as to not wind up on the bad category, but the difference makers are mostly out of your child’s control at this point. They’re going to be compared to their class mates and kids from similar local schools. The school may want kids looking for a certain major or that have a certain talent (e.g. a harpist). But mostly it’s just a numbers game.

Hard disagree. If you are applying to T20 colleges - where every single applicant is going to have stellar academics - the essays and the letters of recommendation are hugely important. This is where you have a chance to get the reader on your side so they argue for you at the table. It's important. The essay is the one place on an application where the student can really show who they are. And personalized letters of recommendation from teachers who know the students help schools feel confident in extending an acceptance. It's foolish to ignore essays and letters of recommendation. They are very often the difference makers at highly selective schools that accept fewer than 10 percent of all applicants.

I have two kids at T20 universities presently. Both spent a lot of time on their essays. Very unique. Very funny. Very well written. I'm convinced the essays and really good letters of rec - plus exceptionally good ECs - are what distinguished them from all the other unhooked applicants with outstanding GPAs and test scores.

I have 2 kids at T10 universities and I am guessing their essays were good. I have no idea if that helped or not. How can anyone? In sheer number- it seems impossible that the admissions staff can read the volume of essays which are in the 10s of thousands. I truly don’t believe every essay gets read. 3-4 mins per application, correct?

I think the letters of recommendation have some weight. Best of the best stuff helps, I think. That, IMO, is why my kids were accepted. Their objective stats are similar to many, many applicants.

Since your kids were admitted, if they wish they can see their admissions file. They can't take it with them or make copies, but they can see it, if you are truly interested.

I don't recommend that.

There are you tube videos of a few kids that did if you want to see them.

They would have absolutely no interest in that. I’m not sure why anyone would.

To demystify the process. To help younger siblings or friends understand a little bit about how a school evaluates applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS Teacher

My top students with multiple waitlists/rejections were all asian males. They ended up at (good) state schools but by and large were rejected by privates.

raise hand.. that was my CS Asian male. Very high stats. Now at a state flagship with merit.

They would have probably gotten amazing merit at second tier privates.

My Asian kid did, because they seek diversity.

? the flagship is very diverse.

Flagships are usually HS 2.0

I heard this one a lot last spring when other parents felt the need to shit on UMD. My kid is thriving there. Has some HS friends and also met new ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS Teacher

My top students with multiple waitlists/rejections were all asian males. They ended up at (good) state schools but by and large were rejected by privates.

raise hand.. that was my CS Asian male. Very high stats. Now at a state flagship with merit.

This country revels in discrimination against Asians.

Every top school in this country is packed to the gills with Asian students.

Asians are waaayyy over represented at the best schools and STEM programs. The problem is a numbers one: there are enough Asians here and abroad who want to study at America’s top schools and STEM departments to fill every seat. American schools have a duty beyond just educating Asians.

Can we just stop accepting people from abroad?

The schools are desperate for international full pay students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS Teacher

My top students with multiple waitlists/rejections were all asian males. They ended up at (good) state schools but by and large were rejected by privates.

raise hand.. that was my CS Asian male. Very high stats. Now at a state flagship with merit.

This country revels in discrimination against Asians.

Every top school in this country is packed to the gills with Asian students.

Asians are waaayyy over represented at the best schools and STEM programs. The problem is a numbers one: there are enough Asians here and abroad who want to study at America’s top schools and STEM departments to fill every seat. American schools have a duty beyond just educating Asians.

Can we just stop accepting people from abroad?

The schools are desperate for international full pay students.

NP. Some schools might be. But T20s+ have many academically-qualified domestic full pay applicants to choose from. Admission is more difficult for internationals, full pay or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS Teacher

My top students with multiple waitlists/rejections were all asian males. They ended up at (good) state schools but by and large were rejected by privates.

raise hand.. that was my CS Asian male. Very high stats. Now at a state flagship with merit.

They would have probably gotten amazing merit at second tier privates.

My Asian kid did, because they seek diversity.

? the flagship is very diverse.

Flagships are usually HS 2.0

I heard this one a lot last spring when other parents felt the need to shit on UMD. My kid is thriving there. Has some HS friends and also met new ones.

+1 my kid, too.. met some new friends. Most of DC's friends there aren't in the same major as DC, so DC only sees them sometimes outside of class.

Like I said, the vast majority of kids go to their in state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS Teacher

My top students with multiple waitlists/rejections were all asian males. They ended up at (good) state schools but by and large were rejected by privates.

raise hand.. that was my CS Asian male. Very high stats. Now at a state flagship with merit.

This country revels in discrimination against Asians.

Every top school in this country is packed to the gills with Asian students.

Asians are waaayyy over represented at the best schools and STEM programs. The problem is a numbers one: there are enough Asians here and abroad who want to study at America’s top schools and STEM departments to fill every seat. American schools have a duty beyond just educating Asians.

+1

+100. Go to Carnegie Mellon and see this first hand.

shrug.. lots of high achieving Asian American kids.