Some facts about Holistic Admissions Criteria from Stanford Daily

[Anonymous]

Honestly, if it were racism of the "they all look alike" variety (which, I agree, exists in admissions at highly selective colleges), then the odds of him being rejected at 30 different schools would be very slim. If, from an admissions POV, he's interchangeable with a host of other Asian kids applying, then presumably, with that many different apps, he'd be among the chosen occasionally. The fact that he *never* was does suggest that there's something about his application that consistently makes him look less attractive than other applicants with similar profiles. Could be his essays, which no one posting here has seen; could be his recs which he probably hasn't even seen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unlikely the kid took SAT in China before high school and used it for college admissions and there was a huge SAT scandal involving bunch of white kids in New York state few years ago where kids were paid to take the SAT for other students.

Exchange students usually come to the US for a year or two, so he may have completed 1-2 years of HS.

l

May, might, coulda. He did all four here.

No one but the student and the admissions officers know what is in any particular student's application. Something was going on with this kid's application that 30 different sets of admissions officers decided to send him a "We regret to inform you..." letter. My guess would be something with the essays, either the writing quality or the subject.

Lots of Asian kids get accepted to lots of different colleges, so I highly doubt that 30 different schools decided to turn down this one kid solely because he is Asian. There's something else going on there.

Yes. He checked Asian. Signed - White Chick.

Then why do so many other kids who are Asian and have checked Asian get accepted at these same schools? Why did 30 schools all pick this one kid to reject just because he is Asian and for no other reason?

If you posters are as smart as you think yo are, you will recognize the simple statistical truth in the previous statement. Something more is clearly at work here than racial status.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unlikely the kid took SAT in China before high school and used it for college admissions and there was a huge SAT scandal involving bunch of white kids in New York state few years ago where kids were paid to take the SAT for other students.

Exchange students usually come to the US for a year or two, so he may have completed 1-2 years of HS.

l

May, might, coulda. He did all four here.

No one but the student and the admissions officers know what is in any particular student's application. Something was going on with this kid's application that 30 different sets of admissions officers decided to send him a "We regret to inform you..." letter. My guess would be something with the essays, either the writing quality or the subject.

Lots of Asian kids get accepted to lots of different colleges, so I highly doubt that 30 different schools decided to turn down this one kid solely because he is Asian. There's something else going on there.

Yes. He checked Asian. Signed - White Chick.

Then why do so many other kids who are Asian and have checked Asian get accepted at these same schools? Why did 30 schools all pick this one kid to reject just because he is Asian and for no other reason?

If you posters are as smart as you think yo are, you will recognize the simple statistical truth in the previous statement. Something more is clearly at work here than racial status.

In order to fit your narrative, there has to be. I understand that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I implore all of you to read up - start with the book "The Gatekeepers", where minority admissions counselors go to schools looking for minority students to round out their classes. Are you Native American? Never mind those Ds and Fs on your transcript - we need you at this baby Ivy, so admitted you are, because we need Native American on campus.

Meanwhile, my friend had a Chinese exchange student. Second in his class, excellent test scores, very personable guy, a demonstrated leader. Rejected by a WHOPPING 30 AMERICAN COLLEGES. Every damn one he applied to. Didn't need a scholarship either or financial help. He has to go to school in Saudi Arabia.

And y'all have the nerve to bitch about legacies and donations in the same breath? I'd do away with that nonsense too. But y'all want your politically correct BS to stay while at the same time, doing away with what you consider privilege.

Bullshit. You are seriously telling me that this kid can't get into a less selective LAC or to a state school? I don't believe you.

Could have been rejected for obvious plagiarism in the essay or fraud on his Chinese transcript. At my alma mater, a large proportion of the international applicants get tossed out for those reasons. There is a whole industry of "college counselors" in China that produce ridiculously glossy application books for their clients and they have few ethical restraints to prevent fake transcripts and essays.

I wouldn't be at all surprised at who many Chinese cheated on their transcripts to get into U.S. colleges. Honesty and integrity are not strong traits in the Chinese culture these days....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I am curious among the elite schools how the military academies rank in terms of Asian admissions? Maybe our Asian friends should be pushing their students in that direction too. After all, you get a free education at among the top schools in America and guaranteed employment afterward and an alumni network that will tie you into the top ranks in politics and business in America.

It's a generalization, but military service is not big with the Asian families I've known.

Well, the point of military is to serve their country, which is contrary to Asians' focus on winning the prize.[/quote

What's the prize?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I implore all of you to read up - start with the book "The Gatekeepers", where minority admissions counselors go to schools looking for minority students to round out their classes. Are you Native American? Never mind those Ds and Fs on your transcript - we need you at this baby Ivy, so admitted you are, because we need Native American on campus.

Meanwhile, my friend had a Chinese exchange student. Second in his class, excellent test scores, very personable guy, a demonstrated leader. Rejected by a WHOPPING 30 AMERICAN COLLEGES. Every damn one he applied to. Didn't need a scholarship either or financial help. He has to go to school in Saudi Arabia.

And y'all have the nerve to bitch about legacies and donations in the same breath? I'd do away with that nonsense too. But y'all want your politically correct BS to stay while at the same time, doing away with what you consider privilege.

Bullshit. You are seriously telling me that this kid can't get into a less selective LAC or to a state school? I don't believe you.

Could have been rejected for obvious plagiarism in the essay or fraud on his Chinese transcript. At my alma mater, a large proportion of the international applicants get tossed out for those reasons. There is a whole industry of "college counselors" in China that produce ridiculously glossy application books for their clients and they have few ethical restraints to prevent fake transcripts and essays.

I wouldn't be at all surprised at who many Chinese cheated on their transcripts to get into U.S. colleges. Honesty and integrity are not strong traits in the Chinese culture these days....

Stop with the racism. Look at the crime rate and the prison population in this country and you will see that it's not the Asians. Asians are least likely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unlikely the kid took SAT in China before high school and used it for college admissions and there was a huge SAT scandal involving bunch of white kids in New York state few years ago where kids were paid to take the SAT for other students.

Exchange students usually come to the US for a year or two, so he may have completed 1-2 years of HS.

l

May, might, coulda. He did all four here.

No one but the student and the admissions officers know what is in any particular student's application. Something was going on with this kid's application that 30 different sets of admissions officers decided to send him a "We regret to inform you..." letter. My guess would be something with the essays, either the writing quality or the subject.

Lots of Asian kids get accepted to lots of different colleges, so I highly doubt that 30 different schools decided to turn down this one kid solely because he is Asian. There's something else going on there.

Yes. He checked Asian. Signed - White Chick.

Then why do so many other kids who are Asian and have checked Asian get accepted at these same schools? Why did 30 schools all pick this one kid to reject just because he is Asian and for no other reason?

It's about the soft quotas.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/11/23/ivy-league-college-asians-race-jews-students-diversity-discrimination-quotas-column/19445201/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unlikely the kid took SAT in China before high school and used it for college admissions and there was a huge SAT scandal involving bunch of white kids in New York state few years ago where kids were paid to take the SAT for other students.

Exchange students usually come to the US for a year or two, so he may have completed 1-2 years of HS.

l

May, might, coulda. He did all four here.

No one but the student and the admissions officers know what is in any particular student's application. Something was going on with this kid's application that 30 different sets of admissions officers decided to send him a "We regret to inform you..." letter. My guess would be something with the essays, either the writing quality or the subject.

Lots of Asian kids get accepted to lots of different colleges, so I highly doubt that 30 different schools decided to turn down this one kid solely because he is Asian. There's something else going on there.

Yes. He checked Asian. Signed - White Chick.

Then why do so many other kids who are Asian and have checked Asian get accepted at these same schools? Why did 30 schools all pick this one kid to reject just because he is Asian and for no other reason?

Why are you assuming he's the only one? I would check the class-action lawsuit action on this very issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I implore all of you to read up - start with the book "The Gatekeepers", where minority admissions counselors go to schools looking for minority students to round out their classes. Are you Native American? Never mind those Ds and Fs on your transcript - we need you at this baby Ivy, so admitted you are, because we need Native American on campus.

Meanwhile, my friend had a Chinese exchange student. Second in his class, excellent test scores, very personable guy, a demonstrated leader. Rejected by a WHOPPING 30 AMERICAN COLLEGES. Every damn one he applied to. Didn't need a scholarship either or financial help. He has to go to school in Saudi Arabia.

And y'all have the nerve to bitch about legacies and donations in the same breath? I'd do away with that nonsense too. But y'all want your politically correct BS to stay while at the same time, doing away with what you consider privilege.

Bullshit. You are seriously telling me that this kid can't get into a less selective LAC or to a state school? I don't believe you.

Could have been rejected for obvious plagiarism in the essay or fraud on his Chinese transcript. At my alma mater, a large proportion of the international applicants get tossed out for those reasons. There is a whole industry of "college counselors" in China that produce ridiculously glossy application books for their clients and they have few ethical restraints to prevent fake transcripts and essays.

I wouldn't be at all surprised at who many Chinese cheated on their transcripts to get into U.S. colleges. Honesty and integrity are not strong traits in the Chinese culture these days....

Stop with the racism. Look at the crime rate and the prison population in this country and you will see that it's not the Asians. Asians are least likely.

Can you believe the PP actually SAID that with a straight face? How can someone simultaneously consider themselves open-minded and make such a statement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unlikely the kid took SAT in China before high school and used it for college admissions and there was a huge SAT scandal involving bunch of white kids in New York state few years ago where kids were paid to take the SAT for other students.

Exchange students usually come to the US for a year or two, so he may have completed 1-2 years of HS.

l

May, might, coulda. He did all four here.

No one but the student and the admissions officers know what is in any particular student's application. Something was going on with this kid's application that 30 different sets of admissions officers decided to send him a "We regret to inform you..." letter. My guess would be something with the essays, either the writing quality or the subject.

Lots of Asian kids get accepted to lots of different colleges, so I highly doubt that 30 different schools decided to turn down this one kid solely because he is Asian. There's something else going on there.

Yes. He checked Asian. Signed - White Chick.

Then why do so many other kids who are Asian and have checked Asian get accepted at these same schools? Why did 30 schools all pick this one kid to reject just because he is Asian and for no other reason?

Why are you assuming he's the only one? I would check the class-action lawsuit action on this very issue.

The PPs are not saying he's the only one. They're saying that it seems odd that 30 schools would reject this one kid with perfect qualifications solely because of the fact that he is Asian. Statistically, it doesn't make sense. Sending a perfect application to 30 schools, even with the Asian box checked, should have resulted in at least some acceptances. For the application to be rejected across the board in this way, there was most likely something in the application that gave pause to 30 sets of admissions officers. I agree with the PP that it was probably something in the essays or the recommendations.

It is statistically unlikely that 30 different schools would decide that this is the Asian kid we're not accepting, even though he is the perfect candidate in every other way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unlikely the kid took SAT in China before high school and used it for college admissions and there was a huge SAT scandal involving bunch of white kids in New York state few years ago where kids were paid to take the SAT for other students.

Exchange students usually come to the US for a year or two, so he may have completed 1-2 years of HS.

l

May, might, coulda. He did all four here.

No one but the student and the admissions officers know what is in any particular student's application. Something was going on with this kid's application that 30 different sets of admissions officers decided to send him a "We regret to inform you..." letter. My guess would be something with the essays, either the writing quality or the subject.

Lots of Asian kids get accepted to lots of different colleges, so I highly doubt that 30 different schools decided to turn down this one kid solely because he is Asian. There's something else going on there.

Yes. He checked Asian. Signed - White Chick.

Then why do so many other kids who are Asian and have checked Asian get accepted at these same schools? Why did 30 schools all pick this one kid to reject just because he is Asian and for no other reason?

Why are you assuming he's the only one? I would check the class-action lawsuit action on this very issue.

The PPs are not saying he's the only one. They're saying that it seems odd that 30 schools would reject this one kid with perfect qualifications solely because of the fact that he is Asian. Statistically, it doesn't make sense. Sending a perfect application to 30 schools, even with the Asian box checked, should have resulted in at least some acceptances. For the application to be rejected across the board in this way, there was most likely something in the application that gave pause to 30 sets of admissions officers. I agree with the PP that it was probably something in the essays or the recommendations.

It is statistically unlikely that 30 different schools would decide that this is the Asian kid we're not accepting, even though he is the perfect candidate in every other way.

I think this is possible since I know of an Asian American kid who had done extremely well overall at a very good school (perfect gpa, 2360 SAT (800, 800, 760), all 800s on SAT IIs, all 5s on many APs, leadership positions in key student groups, original STEM research which was highly advanced (graduate school level), very impressive internships, many hours of volunteering, great recommendation letters (seen them both were 11/10), great essays (reviewed and evaluated by several English teachers to be excellent and seen them 9/10), multiple national level awards such as debate awards etc. etc. Really passionate and curious about learning which showed through various EC activities and leadership positions.

And yet, this kid applied to 9 schools and was rejected by 8 schools and accepted by only 1 school. His race (and no "Hooks") was only thing that got in the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is possible since I know of an Asian American kid who had done extremely well overall at a very good school (perfect gpa, 2360 SAT (800, 800, 760), all 800s on SAT IIs, all 5s on many APs, leadership positions in key student groups, original STEM research which was highly advanced (graduate school level), very impressive internships, many hours of volunteering, great recommendation letters (seen them both were 11/10), great essays (reviewed and evaluated by several English teachers to be excellent and seen them 9/10), multiple national level awards such as debate awards etc. etc. Really passionate and curious about learning which showed through various EC activities and leadership positions.

And yet, this kid applied to 9 schools and was rejected by 8 schools and accepted by only 1 school. His race (and no "Hooks") was only thing that got in the way.

Was he rejected by safeties as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The PPs are not saying he's the only one. They're saying that it seems odd that 30 schools would reject this one kid with perfect qualifications solely because of the fact that he is Asian. Statistically, it doesn't make sense. Sending a perfect application to 30 schools, even with the Asian box checked, should have resulted in at least some acceptances. For the application to be rejected across the board in this way, there was most likely something in the application that gave pause to 30 sets of admissions officers. I agree with the PP that it was probably something in the essays or the recommendations.

It is statistically unlikely that 30 different schools would decide that this is the Asian kid we're not accepting, even though he is the perfect candidate in every other way.

I think this is possible since I know of an Asian American kid who had done extremely well overall at a very good school (perfect gpa, 2360 SAT (800, 800, 760), all 800s on SAT IIs, all 5s on many APs, leadership positions in key student groups, original STEM research which was highly advanced (graduate school level), very impressive internships, many hours of volunteering, great recommendation letters (seen them both were 11/10), great essays (reviewed and evaluated by several English teachers to be excellent and seen them 9/10), multiple national level awards such as debate awards etc. etc. Really passionate and curious about learning which showed through various EC activities and leadership positions.

And yet, this kid applied to 9 schools and was rejected by 8 schools and accepted by only 1 school. His race (and no "Hooks") was only thing that got in the way.

Are you this kid's guidance counselor? Otherwise, it is unusual to read the essays and recommendations for a person that one "knows of." Also, if the candidate and other people are reading the recs, that means that the candidate did not waive the right to read the recs. College admissions officials are wary when they see a rec without the right to read waived. They know the writer if the rec may not be totally frank when he/she knows the student could read the rec. Most candidates check the box to waive the right to read the recs.

I also don't understand the rating of the essays above. Different colleges are looking for different qualities, which would make it difficult for an outsider to rate essays across the board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The PPs are not saying he's the only one. They're saying that it seems odd that 30 schools would reject this one kid with perfect qualifications solely because of the fact that he is Asian. Statistically, it doesn't make sense. Sending a perfect application to 30 schools, even with the Asian box checked, should have resulted in at least some acceptances. For the application to be rejected across the board in this way, there was most likely something in the application that gave pause to 30 sets of admissions officers. I agree with the PP that it was probably something in the essays or the recommendations.

It is statistically unlikely that 30 different schools would decide that this is the Asian kid we're not accepting, even though he is the perfect candidate in every other way.

I think this is possible since I know of an Asian American kid who had done extremely well overall at a very good school (perfect gpa, 2360 SAT (800, 800, 760), all 800s on SAT IIs, all 5s on many APs, leadership positions in key student groups, original STEM research which was highly advanced (graduate school level), very impressive internships, many hours of volunteering, great recommendation letters (seen them both were 11/10), great essays (reviewed and evaluated by several English teachers to be excellent and seen them 9/10), multiple national level awards such as debate awards etc. etc. Really passionate and curious about learning which showed through various EC activities and leadership positions.

And yet, this kid applied to 9 schools and was rejected by 8 schools and accepted by only 1 school. His race (and no "Hooks") was only thing that got in the way.

Are you this kid's guidance counselor? Otherwise, it is unusual to read the essays and recommendations for a person that one "knows of." Also, if the candidate and other people are reading the recs, that means that the candidate did not waive the right to read the recs. College admissions officials are wary when they see a rec without the right to read waived. They know the writer if the rec may not be totally frank when he/she knows the student could read the rec. Most candidates check the box to waive the right to read the recs.

I also don't understand the rating of the essays above. Different colleges are looking for different qualities, which would make it difficult for an outsider to rate essays across the board.

The kid "waived the right to view" the recommendation letters but the teachers voluntarily showed the LOR to the student and they were shown to me by the student. They were amazing and absolutely 11/10 since the teachers could not have written better letters. They were basically saying any college would be doing themselves a favor by recruiting this kid and cited specific examples of work done and specific observations regarding conduct, character , leadershipo demonstrated etc. Definitely 11/10 for both.

In addition, I have seen many college essays and I thought they were very good and several English teachers who reviewed the essays also thought they were very good as well.

[Anonymous]

So where is this kid going to college?