Essays About Identity That Could Indicate Race

[Anonymous]

Since colleges take their cues from social media influencers, I would listen to them.

[Anonymous]

If they are serious about not considering race, they should seal the last names of the kid and the family. Asian and Indian last names instantly tell AOs their race, and put them in a disadvantaged position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn’t the optional video submission give away race? I wouldn’t worry about it op. I think the advice comes from the stuff during the affirmative action time when applicants were spending the entire essay laying out their race/lgbtq/class special status bona fides.

Exactly

And more schools are making them optional

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One poster in this forum has mentioned not talking about race in essays, based on Sara H's opinion. I think that is an incorrect approach.

That said, I would suggest that the main idea of an essay should be showing a personal character type of quality. Be careful that the physical discussion doesn't distract from that.

SH was actually late to the party on this. All of the counselors I follow have said for months not to talk about it and she was staying firm about being proud and showing off your culture if you want to- she has done a dramatic 180.

A lot of college counselors were former admissions officers and are still very well connected. I’m wondering if there is a lot of chatter between the former and the current officers about this. Almost warnings so to speak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD will write about her Spanish heritage only in the college essay prompts asking about background, lived experience or community. If they are asking, then she is telling.

It isn't in her common app essay and it isn't in the essays abt leadership - specifically, Michigan dropped their community essay in favor of a leadership essay.

I think the approach should vary by what the school is looking for. Some are still seeking out diversity (Northwestern and I think Duke).

So she's a white European. How is this interesting to anyone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD will write about her Spanish heritage only in the college essay prompts asking about background, lived experience or community. If they are asking, then she is telling.

It isn't in her common app essay and it isn't in the essays abt leadership - specifically, Michigan dropped their community essay in favor of a leadership essay.

I think the approach should vary by what the school is looking for. Some are still seeking out diversity (Northwestern and I think Duke).

So she's a white European. How is this interesting to anyone?

Hispanic is a box that schools like to check, so it will help this person, assuming she is already competitive with her scores, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD will write about her Spanish heritage only in the college essay prompts asking about background, lived experience or community. If they are asking, then she is telling.

It isn't in her common app essay and it isn't in the essays abt leadership - specifically, Michigan dropped their community essay in favor of a leadership essay.

I think the approach should vary by what the school is looking for. Some are still seeking out diversity (Northwestern and I think Duke).

So she's a white European. How is this interesting to anyone?

Hispanic is a box that schools like to check, so it will help this person, assuming she is already competitive with her scores, etc.

Not really. Schools know those numbers were a joke to begin with, with all of the “Spanish” kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD will write about her Spanish heritage only in the college essay prompts asking about background, lived experience or community. If they are asking, then she is telling.

It isn't in her common app essay and it isn't in the essays abt leadership - specifically, Michigan dropped their community essay in favor of a leadership essay.

I think the approach should vary by what the school is looking for. Some are still seeking out diversity (Northwestern and I think Duke).

So she's a white European. How is this interesting to anyone?

Hispanic is a box that schools like to check, so it will help this person, assuming she is already competitive with her scores, etc.

Not really. Schools know those numbers were a joke to begin with, with all of the “Spanish” kids

You clearly are uninformed about schools and their desire to report diversity in their student body. There is no distinction among Hispanic students i terms of their home country. It could be Bolivia and it could be Spain. It doesn't matter to them as long as they can report a strong Hispanic representation. We have Cuban ethnicity. My son was offered all sorts of spots and merit. My daughter will also reap the same benefits with her very high SAT and GPA. Read it and weep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current Harvard/Yale/Princeton AOs have directly addressed this question, saying that students SHOULD address race/identity if it’s important to who they are as a person.

Sara H is spreading dangerous advice.

huh? Harvard just told interviewers NO indication of RACE anywhere in interview feedback? They don't want to have to discount the interview.

This. It was news this week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like some college counselors are advising not to mention anything about your race this year since the administration will review admissions data. What about an essay about a personal trait that usually means you're white (e.g., blond hair or blue eyes)? DD has written a beautiful essay but it's built around a physical trait of hers - it can't be taken out of her essay and can't be changed to a different color the way her story unfolds.

Why in the world would she write an essay about a phyiscal trait>

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current Harvard/Yale/Princeton AOs have directly addressed this question, saying that students SHOULD address race/identity if it’s important to who they are as a person.

Sara H is spreading dangerous advice.

huh? Harvard just told interviewers NO indication of RACE anywhere in interview feedback? They don't want to have to discount the interview.

This. It was news this week.

The interviewers were instructed not to put race in their notes. That doesn’t mean the applicants are now required to hide their faces.

[Anonymous]

Only trait of interest to colleges today is full pay.