Overpackaging an applicant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students I know who did well in admissions were packaged. More importantly they had A’s even if it meant less rigor. They were ruthless in their essays. Subtly does not come through. They repeated words, themes, ideas. They made sure admissions saw what they wanted them to see.

I agree with this. Maybe packaged just means strategic?

Ding ding ding

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The key to it all is conveying sincerity. That a kid is doing what they do out of true interest and not because some overpriced consultant is telling them to do it. This is hard to tease out. It is why more schools should do interviews as a decent interviewer can figure it out (though a bad interviewer will gush over phony kids). With the huge influx of applications, I wonder whether AO's have time to sort through this.

I do alumni interviewing. And I despise packaged kids. I am generally very easy going but this is what I push on. If a kid does some summer service trip, I try to figure out whether it was meaningful or just drinking beers and hooking up (I generally hate these). If a kid did an internship, I ask how they got it. I had one kid go on and on about a huge project they did for their school junior year that was being implemented senior year. I asked how it was going (halfway through senior year) and they had no idea. Clearly it wasn't important to them.

I long for the days of the well-rounded kid. Not the serial joiner who has no depth. But not to be shamed to be doing a lot of things at the "very good" level but none at the "world class" level. Nice normal kids who will try a lot of things out in college and be a good part of the community. Unfortunately, schools seem to feel otherwise.

Authenticity and sincerity is so subjective and subject to cultural differences.
I have seen a borderline racist inclination to view activities engaged in by kids with some skin colors as authentic and passionate while the same activities done by other kids who are identical in every way other than skin color is viewed as contrived and manufactured.

As soon as someone uses the term "robotic" to describe an applicant, you know they've got it in for Asians.

And for the poster who didn't want "weird" kids to get into college, and the one who said to beware of those who change their majors immediately... my kids are autistic. They are weird. They are also never going to pretend to be what they're not, since their autism makes that impossible. They cannot lie. Their interests are genuine, and they won't change majors, because that would not be possible for them. In all my years of observing college admissions, I think higher education tends to encourage esoteric interests and therefore, the autistic high functioning people among us. Which is a GOOD thing, otherwise there wouldn't be anyone to study snail mucin for their wound-healing properties... (one of my kids' interests).

By saying this is only about Asians, you are stereotyping Asians. Kind of ironic.

I wrote some of the posts above. And I am actually writing from diverse experiences, including with my own child. They are an upper middle class white kid. Fairly social, outgoing, likes sports, plenty of friends, etc. Far from the most popular kid but not a nerd either. Super smart. But in a lot of situations, particularly with adults, they freeze up and become robotic and boring. If asked about something that really, truly excites them, they would not bring this across. So I have been coaching them who to lighten up, express passion, and show who they truly are. This will serve them well in college admissions, but more importantly, it will serve them well in life. Ironically, my other child is not as smart but is much, much better at this.

So please lighten up. College isn't just about academics. It is about fun. It is about conversations about esoteric topics, as well as about who would win a fight between superman and batman. It is about getting slightly drunk. Perhaps this is a very American way to look at the world. But last time I looked, most of you want to send your kids to school in America.

NP. I’m white. Your comments are repellent. You must not know many Asian students. My DC attends a diverse school. Has many Asian friends and classmates. They’re awesome and any school would be lucky to have these kids - they’re smart, FUNNY, well liked, inclusive, with a vast array of interests and hobbies, leaders in the school, well spoken, athletic, and all around great kids.

What are you talking about? I was criticizing the prior poster for generalizing about Asians because I agree with you. For better or worse, there are many Asian kids who fit the stereotype, which is why it exists. But there are many, many who do not. I also don't live in a white bubble. I had an Asian bridesmaid and groomsman in my wedding - among my closest friends on earth. Super cool people.

Lighten up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The key to it all is conveying sincerity. That a kid is doing what they do out of true interest and not because some overpriced consultant is telling them to do it. This is hard to tease out. It is why more schools should do interviews as a decent interviewer can figure it out (though a bad interviewer will gush over phony kids). With the huge influx of applications, I wonder whether AO's have time to sort through this.

I do alumni interviewing. And I despise packaged kids. I am generally very easy going but this is what I push on. If a kid does some summer service trip, I try to figure out whether it was meaningful or just drinking beers and hooking up (I generally hate these). If a kid did an internship, I ask how they got it. I had one kid go on and on about a huge project they did for their school junior year that was being implemented senior year. I asked how it was going (halfway through senior year) and they had no idea. Clearly it wasn't important to them.

I long for the days of the well-rounded kid. Not the serial joiner who has no depth. But not to be shamed to be doing a lot of things at the "very good" level but none at the "world class" level. Nice normal kids who will try a lot of things out in college and be a good part of the community. Unfortunately, schools seem to feel otherwise.

Authenticity and sincerity is so subjective and subject to cultural differences.
I have seen a borderline racist inclination to view activities engaged in by kids with some skin colors as authentic and passionate while the same activities done by other kids who are identical in every way other than skin color is viewed as contrived and manufactured.

As soon as someone uses the term "robotic" to describe an applicant, you know they've got it in for Asians.

And for the poster who didn't want "weird" kids to get into college, and the one who said to beware of those who change their majors immediately... my kids are autistic. They are weird. They are also never going to pretend to be what they're not, since their autism makes that impossible. They cannot lie. Their interests are genuine, and they won't change majors, because that would not be possible for them. In all my years of observing college admissions, I think higher education tends to encourage esoteric interests and therefore, the autistic high functioning people among us. Which is a GOOD thing, otherwise there wouldn't be anyone to study snail mucin for their wound-healing properties... (one of my kids' interests).

By saying this is only about Asians, you are stereotyping Asians. Kind of ironic.

I wrote some of the posts above. And I am actually writing from diverse experiences, including with my own child. They are an upper middle class white kid. Fairly social, outgoing, likes sports, plenty of friends, etc. Far from the most popular kid but not a nerd either. Super smart. But in a lot of situations, particularly with adults, they freeze up and become robotic and boring. If asked about something that really, truly excites them, they would not bring this across. So I have been coaching them who to lighten up, express passion, and show who they truly are. This will serve them well in college admissions, but more importantly, it will serve them well in life. Ironically, my other child is not as smart but is much, much better at this.

So please lighten up. College isn't just about academics. It is about fun. It is about conversations about esoteric topics, as well as about who would win a fight between superman and batman. It is about getting slightly drunk. Perhaps this is a very American way to look at the world. But last time I looked, most of you want to send your kids to school in America.

I accept your explanation that you and perhaps others do not mean to disparage Asians specifically when using the term "robotic". But you also need to realize that a lot of people do!

You are also full of prejudices in your response. My Asian kids ARE American. What do you mean by "most of you"? That's EXTREMELY offensive.

Why are you talking about having fun in a discussion regarding Asians in college admissions? Is it your assumption that certain ethnicities are too serious?

For many Asian families with ties to their home countries, there is some truth to that: college admissions are an incredibly serious matter because where you attend university in Korea and Japan will directly determine the jobs you will get and the money you earn. Entrance exams in the countries I mention have been max pressure for decades. The amount of stress the kids go through in the US is *nothing* compared to over there. For years, Japan had the highest rate of teen suicides in the world, specifically because of academic pressure. A lot of expat Asian families or recent immigrants feel that schooling their children in America is offering them a relaxed lifestyle, a chance to have a normal childhood, with activities outside of school (that kids cannot do over there because they're grinding math and kanji 24/7). So if you think they're injecting pressure into the American system... that's their version of relaxed

But Asian-Americans who have lived here for generations, and that you seem to entirely ignore in your reply, do not usually feel that way, which is why you cannot lump all Asians into one group!!! And then there are vast cultural and regional differences between East Asia, South Asia, South-East Asia, etc... you're talking about 4-5 billion people here, 60% of the world population. Don't ever write "most of us" ever again, and please don't show your ignorance regarding ethnic and cultural differences, PP.

[Anonymous]

Wait. When did overpackaging = Asian Americans? How did I miss that?

That's not what we are talking about. Why is this thread being taken over - AGAIN!!! I'm so freaking annoyed.

- Indian American mom (not everything has to be about being Asian)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The key to it all is conveying sincerity. That a kid is doing what they do out of true interest and not because some overpriced consultant is telling them to do it. This is hard to tease out. It is why more schools should do interviews as a decent interviewer can figure it out (though a bad interviewer will gush over phony kids). With the huge influx of applications, I wonder whether AO's have time to sort through this.

I do alumni interviewing. And I despise packaged kids. I am generally very easy going but this is what I push on. If a kid does some summer service trip, I try to figure out whether it was meaningful or just drinking beers and hooking up (I generally hate these). If a kid did an internship, I ask how they got it. I had one kid go on and on about a huge project they did for their school junior year that was being implemented senior year. I asked how it was going (halfway through senior year) and they had no idea. Clearly it wasn't important to them.

I long for the days of the well-rounded kid. Not the serial joiner who has no depth. But not to be shamed to be doing a lot of things at the "very good" level but none at the "world class" level. Nice normal kids who will try a lot of things out in college and be a good part of the community. Unfortunately, schools seem to feel otherwise.

Authenticity and sincerity is so subjective and subject to cultural differences.
I have seen a borderline racist inclination to view activities engaged in by kids with some skin colors as authentic and passionate while the same activities done by other kids who are identical in every way other than skin color is viewed as contrived and manufactured.

As soon as someone uses the term "robotic" to describe an applicant, you know they've got it in for Asians.

And for the poster who didn't want "weird" kids to get into college, and the one who said to beware of those who change their majors immediately... my kids are autistic. They are weird. They are also never going to pretend to be what they're not, since their autism makes that impossible. They cannot lie. Their interests are genuine, and they won't change majors, because that would not be possible for them. In all my years of observing college admissions, I think higher education tends to encourage esoteric interests and therefore, the autistic high functioning people among us. Which is a GOOD thing, otherwise there wouldn't be anyone to study snail mucin for their wound-healing properties... (one of my kids' interests).

By saying this is only about Asians, you are stereotyping Asians. Kind of ironic.

I wrote some of the posts above. And I am actually writing from diverse experiences, including with my own child. They are an upper middle class white kid. Fairly social, outgoing, likes sports, plenty of friends, etc. Far from the most popular kid but not a nerd either. Super smart. But in a lot of situations, particularly with adults, they freeze up and become robotic and boring. If asked about something that really, truly excites them, they would not bring this across. So I have been coaching them who to lighten up, express passion, and show who they truly are. This will serve them well in college admissions, but more importantly, it will serve them well in life. Ironically, my other child is not as smart but is much, much better at this.

So please lighten up. College isn't just about academics. It is about fun. It is about conversations about esoteric topics, as well as about who would win a fight between superman and batman. It is about getting slightly drunk. Perhaps this is a very American way to look at the world. But last time I looked, most of you want to send your kids to school in America.

I accept your explanation that you and perhaps others do not mean to disparage Asians specifically when using the term "robotic". But you also need to realize that a lot of people do!

You are also full of prejudices in your response. My Asian kids ARE American. What do you mean by "most of you"? That's EXTREMELY offensive.

Why are you talking about having fun in a discussion regarding Asians in college admissions? Is it your assumption that certain ethnicities are too serious?

For many Asian families with ties to their home countries, there is some truth to that: college admissions are an incredibly serious matter because where you attend university in Korea and Japan will directly determine the jobs you will get and the money you earn. Entrance exams in the countries I mention have been max pressure for decades. The amount of stress the kids go through in the US is *nothing* compared to over there. For years, Japan had the highest rate of teen suicides in the world, specifically because of academic pressure. A lot of expat Asian families or recent immigrants feel that schooling their children in America is offering them a relaxed lifestyle, a chance to have a normal childhood, with activities outside of school (that kids cannot do over there because they're grinding math and kanji 24/7). So if you think they're injecting pressure into the American system... that's their version of relaxed

But Asian-Americans who have lived here for generations, and that you seem to entirely ignore in your reply, do not usually feel that way, which is why you cannot lump all Asians into one group!!! And then there are vast cultural and regional differences between East Asia, South Asia, South-East Asia, etc... you're talking about 4-5 billion people here, 60% of the world population. Don't ever write "most of us" ever again, and please don't show your ignorance regarding ethnic and cultural differences, PP.

Please leave. Stop hijacking EVERYTHING here. You are driving us all away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The key to it all is conveying sincerity. That a kid is doing what they do out of true interest and not because some overpriced consultant is telling them to do it. This is hard to tease out. It is why more schools should do interviews as a decent interviewer can figure it out (though a bad interviewer will gush over phony kids). With the huge influx of applications, I wonder whether AO's have time to sort through this.

I do alumni interviewing. And I despise packaged kids. I am generally very easy going but this is what I push on. If a kid does some summer service trip, I try to figure out whether it was meaningful or just drinking beers and hooking up (I generally hate these). If a kid did an internship, I ask how they got it. I had one kid go on and on about a huge project they did for their school junior year that was being implemented senior year. I asked how it was going (halfway through senior year) and they had no idea. Clearly it wasn't important to them.

I long for the days of the well-rounded kid. Not the serial joiner who has no depth. But not to be shamed to be doing a lot of things at the "very good" level but none at the "world class" level. Nice normal kids who will try a lot of things out in college and be a good part of the community. Unfortunately, schools seem to feel otherwise.

Authenticity and sincerity is so subjective and subject to cultural differences.
I have seen a borderline racist inclination to view activities engaged in by kids with some skin colors as authentic and passionate while the same activities done by other kids who are identical in every way other than skin color is viewed as contrived and manufactured.

As soon as someone uses the term "robotic" to describe an applicant, you know they've got it in for Asians.

And for the poster who didn't want "weird" kids to get into college, and the one who said to beware of those who change their majors immediately... my kids are autistic. They are weird. They are also never going to pretend to be what they're not, since their autism makes that impossible. They cannot lie. Their interests are genuine, and they won't change majors, because that would not be possible for them. In all my years of observing college admissions, I think higher education tends to encourage esoteric interests and therefore, the autistic high functioning people among us. Which is a GOOD thing, otherwise there wouldn't be anyone to study snail mucin for their wound-healing properties... (one of my kids' interests).

By saying this is only about Asians, you are stereotyping Asians. Kind of ironic.

I wrote some of the posts above. And I am actually writing from diverse experiences, including with my own child. They are an upper middle class white kid. Fairly social, outgoing, likes sports, plenty of friends, etc. Far from the most popular kid but not a nerd either. Super smart. But in a lot of situations, particularly with adults, they freeze up and become robotic and boring. If asked about something that really, truly excites them, they would not bring this across. So I have been coaching them who to lighten up, express passion, and show who they truly are. This will serve them well in college admissions, but more importantly, it will serve them well in life. Ironically, my other child is not as smart but is much, much better at this.

So please lighten up. College isn't just about academics. It is about fun. It is about conversations about esoteric topics, as well as about who would win a fight between superman and batman. It is about getting slightly drunk. Perhaps this is a very American way to look at the world. But last time I looked, most of you want to send your kids to school in America.

I accept your explanation that you and perhaps others do not mean to disparage Asians specifically when using the term "robotic". But you also need to realize that a lot of people do!

You are also full of prejudices in your response. My Asian kids ARE American. What do you mean by "most of you"? That's EXTREMELY offensive.

Why are you talking about having fun in a discussion regarding Asians in college admissions? Is it your assumption that certain ethnicities are too serious?

For many Asian families with ties to their home countries, there is some truth to that: college admissions are an incredibly serious matter because where you attend university in Korea and Japan will directly determine the jobs you will get and the money you earn. Entrance exams in the countries I mention have been max pressure for decades. The amount of stress the kids go through in the US is *nothing* compared to over there. For years, Japan had the highest rate of teen suicides in the world, specifically because of academic pressure. A lot of expat Asian families or recent immigrants feel that schooling their children in America is offering them a relaxed lifestyle, a chance to have a normal childhood, with activities outside of school (that kids cannot do over there because they're grinding math and kanji 24/7). So if you think they're injecting pressure into the American system... that's their version of relaxed

But Asian-Americans who have lived here for generations, and that you seem to entirely ignore in your reply, do not usually feel that way, which is why you cannot lump all Asians into one group!!! And then there are vast cultural and regional differences between East Asia, South Asia, South-East Asia, etc... you're talking about 4-5 billion people here, 60% of the world population. Don't ever write "most of us" ever again, and please don't show your ignorance regarding ethnic and cultural differences, PP.

Yet another dumb post. You have a major complex. I made it about halfway through your pointless, ignorant, off-topic rant. This thread isn't about Asians in college admissions. It is about overpackaging. And again, I have nothing against Asians.

I do have something against those who refuse to at least somewhat leave behind the ways of their ancestral homes and use them as excuses for thinking the world is out to get them. Most of my Asian friends are people who embrace and honor their heritage, which I deeply respect, yet have also embraced American ways of doing things. Don't use "this is how I do things where I'm from" as an excuse. I love going to a Korean-American friend's home for a delicious traditional Korean meal and to learn more about their culture, then going out with them afterwards to act like an idiot at a dive bar drinking cheap American beer.

So lighten up. You are personifying the negative stereotypes that so many Asian-Americans are trying to distance themselves from. Seems like I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Anyhoo...

[Anonymous]

Are anthropology majors now filled with premed kids? When did that happen? Are these kids "overpackaged" too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The students I know who did well in admissions were packaged. More importantly they had A’s even if it meant less rigor. They were ruthless in their essays. Subtly does not come through. They repeated words, themes, ideas. They made sure admissions saw what they wanted them to see.

Did you read their apps?

This sounds like my DCs app. He didn't mean to be packaged.. it's just how it turned out when he put everything down. He was admitted REA to his top choice.

[Anonymous]

Maybe if you worry about your child being overpackaged, the simplest approach is to not try to package them. Encourage/push them to do stuff, but let them decide what stuff they want to do.

If they by chance end up doing stuff that makes people thinks they are overpackaged, so be it. At least they'll be doing stuff they are engaged in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone mentioned this in another thread.

What does an overpackaged application look like? Is it someone trying to tie everything together (to a major)?

Would love examples. I always thought you were supposed to try and tie everything together and create a thread, but maybe that looks over packaged?

You will get a lot of different opinions about this, but we have heard from some school admissions offices for schools we toured that they feel like they get the same 10-15 profiles over and over - the business school applicant with a curated set of extracurriculars that neatly tie everything together, the engineering applicant, the English applicant, etc. So there is a feeling among some admissions officers that these applicants don’t feel like real people anymore and they prefer profiles that aren’t as carefully packaged, but seem more “real.” What percentage of the AO”s have this view is anyone’s guess. But there is definite fatigue of everyone doing the same consultant influenced packaged profile.

Would this mean that an applicant similarly overpackaged, but for a niche and more obscure major, would still do well?

If the activities/interests are uncommon, I think you do well.

I’ve been reading through LinkedIn and R/collegeresults and see some loose trends.

- Kids with the uncommon activities and interests do well with top schools. Much more so than premed/ polisci/ business with similarly outstanding-seeming narratives.
- The type of high school matters too this year. Private high schools seem to be doing quite well.
- Maybe it’s not about preplanning but being a bit contrarian; it’s just how authentic your story feels and that is what admissions officers are going off of. The more authentic it feels, the less packaged it seems to an AO, obviously. Authenticity to them = rare.

So, maybe they simply like the less common profiles (like we all covet less common items). And admissions can be based on something like that.

I'm curious about how AO's view high school kids with LinkedIn profiles. Does it contribute to the feeling that a kid is overpackaged?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone mentioned this in another thread.

What does an overpackaged application look like? Is it someone trying to tie everything together (to a major)?

Would love examples. I always thought you were supposed to try and tie everything together and create a thread, but maybe that looks over packaged?

You will get a lot of different opinions about this, but we have heard from some school admissions offices for schools we toured that they feel like they get the same 10-15 profiles over and over - the business school applicant with a curated set of extracurriculars that neatly tie everything together, the engineering applicant, the English applicant, etc. So there is a feeling among some admissions officers that these applicants don’t feel like real people anymore and they prefer profiles that aren’t as carefully packaged, but seem more “real.” What percentage of the AO”s have this view is anyone’s guess. But there is definite fatigue of everyone doing the same consultant influenced packaged profile.

Would this mean that an applicant similarly overpackaged, but for a niche and more obscure major, would still do well?

If the activities/interests are uncommon, I think you do well.

I’ve been reading through LinkedIn and R/collegeresults and see some loose trends.

- Kids with the uncommon activities and interests do well with top schools. Much more so than premed/ polisci/ business with similarly outstanding-seeming narratives.
- The type of high school matters too this year. Private high schools seem to be doing quite well.
- Maybe it’s not about preplanning but being a bit contrarian; it’s just how authentic your story feels and that is what admissions officers are going off of. The more authentic it feels, the less packaged it seems to an AO, obviously. Authenticity to them = rare.

So, maybe they simply like the less common profiles (like we all covet less common items). And admissions can be based on something like that.

I'm curious about how AO's view high school kids with LinkedIn profiles. Does it contribute to the feeling that a kid is overpackaged?

I just saw a kid post on LinkedIn that he will be attending an elite school, noting the other schools he was accepted to (a very impressive list). I find the "I'm attending this college" posts by HS kids on LinkedIn to be quite obnoxious, only to be topped by this one which advertises the other schools he got into. I wish the school he is attending would retroactively reject him for having no tact or common sense. Ironically, he is attending a school that has a bad reputation for this to begin with.

I have mixed feelings about HS kids having LinkedIn pages. If they keep it simple, I guess it is fine, though I'm not a huge fan. If they start clearly "overpackaging" themselves with inflated titles and accomplishments, it starts becoming troubling.

[Anonymous]

I use LinkedIn to tell me what activities and awards those kids have. It’s quite informative actually. I’ve never seen one w a post announcing where they are going to school. That seems bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are anthropology majors now filled with premed kids? When did that happen? Are these kids "overpackaged" too?

LOL, not really.

I was just pointing out that the IECs are advising kids to apply to undersubscribed majors, especially if you are going to go on to grad school or professional school.
Then pivot to the pre-professional track.
But when you spend your entire youth building an anthropology hook, you did so because you liked it. I mean you could have done archaeology or Spanish literature but no, you chose anthropology. That gives you a hook that gets you into an Ivy+ school. Pretty much all the Ivy+ schools have space in these dead-end majors and they need students to sit those classes because the professors are tenured and will be paid either way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The key to it all is conveying sincerity. That a kid is doing what they do out of true interest and not because some overpriced consultant is telling them to do it. This is hard to tease out. It is why more schools should do interviews as a decent interviewer can figure it out (though a bad interviewer will gush over phony kids). With the huge influx of applications, I wonder whether AO's have time to sort through this.

I do alumni interviewing. And I despise packaged kids. I am generally very easy going but this is what I push on. If a kid does some summer service trip, I try to figure out whether it was meaningful or just drinking beers and hooking up (I generally hate these). If a kid did an internship, I ask how they got it. I had one kid go on and on about a huge project they did for their school junior year that was being implemented senior year. I asked how it was going (halfway through senior year) and they had no idea. Clearly it wasn't important to them.

I long for the days of the well-rounded kid. Not the serial joiner who has no depth. But not to be shamed to be doing a lot of things at the "very good" level but none at the "world class" level. Nice normal kids who will try a lot of things out in college and be a good part of the community. Unfortunately, schools seem to feel otherwise.

Authenticity and sincerity is so subjective and subject to cultural differences.
I have seen a borderline racist inclination to view activities engaged in by kids with some skin colors as authentic and passionate while the same activities done by other kids who are identical in every way other than skin color is viewed as contrived and manufactured.

As soon as someone uses the term "robotic" to describe an applicant, you know they've got it in for Asians.

And for the poster who didn't want "weird" kids to get into college, and the one who said to beware of those who change their majors immediately... my kids are autistic. They are weird. They are also never going to pretend to be what they're not, since their autism makes that impossible. They cannot lie. Their interests are genuine, and they won't change majors, because that would not be possible for them. In all my years of observing college admissions, I think higher education tends to encourage esoteric interests and therefore, the autistic high functioning people among us. Which is a GOOD thing, otherwise there wouldn't be anyone to study snail mucin for their wound-healing properties... (one of my kids' interests).

By saying this is only about Asians, you are stereotyping Asians. Kind of ironic.

I wrote some of the posts above. And I am actually writing from diverse experiences, including with my own child. They are an upper middle class white kid. Fairly social, outgoing, likes sports, plenty of friends, etc. Far from the most popular kid but not a nerd either. Super smart. But in a lot of situations, particularly with adults, they freeze up and become robotic and boring. If asked about something that really, truly excites them, they would not bring this across. So I have been coaching them who to lighten up, express passion, and show who they truly are. This will serve them well in college admissions, but more importantly, it will serve them well in life. Ironically, my other child is not as smart but is much, much better at this.

So please lighten up. College isn't just about academics. It is about fun. It is about conversations about esoteric topics, as well as about who would win a fight between superman and batman. It is about getting slightly drunk. Perhaps this is a very American way to look at the world. But last time I looked, most of you want to send your kids to school in America.

I accept your explanation that you and perhaps others do not mean to disparage Asians specifically when using the term "robotic". But you also need to realize that a lot of people do!

You are also full of prejudices in your response. My Asian kids ARE American. What do you mean by "most of you"? That's EXTREMELY offensive.

Why are you talking about having fun in a discussion regarding Asians in college admissions? Is it your assumption that certain ethnicities are too serious?

For many Asian families with ties to their home countries, there is some truth to that: college admissions are an incredibly serious matter because where you attend university in Korea and Japan will directly determine the jobs you will get and the money you earn. Entrance exams in the countries I mention have been max pressure for decades. The amount of stress the kids go through in the US is *nothing* compared to over there. For years, Japan had the highest rate of teen suicides in the world, specifically because of academic pressure. A lot of expat Asian families or recent immigrants feel that schooling their children in America is offering them a relaxed lifestyle, a chance to have a normal childhood, with activities outside of school (that kids cannot do over there because they're grinding math and kanji 24/7). So if you think they're injecting pressure into the American system... that's their version of relaxed

But Asian-Americans who have lived here for generations, and that you seem to entirely ignore in your reply, do not usually feel that way, which is why you cannot lump all Asians into one group!!! And then there are vast cultural and regional differences between East Asia, South Asia, South-East Asia, etc... you're talking about 4-5 billion people here, 60% of the world population. Don't ever write "most of us" ever again, and please don't show your ignorance regarding ethnic and cultural differences, PP.

Yet another dumb post. You have a major complex. I made it about halfway through your pointless, ignorant, off-topic rant. This thread isn't about Asians in college admissions. It is about overpackaging. And again, I have nothing against Asians.

I do have something against those who refuse to at least somewhat leave behind the ways of their ancestral homes and use them as excuses for thinking the world is out to get them. Most of my Asian friends are people who embrace and honor their heritage, which I deeply respect, yet have also embraced American ways of doing things. Don't use "this is how I do things where I'm from" as an excuse. I love going to a Korean-American friend's home for a delicious traditional Korean meal and to learn more about their culture, then going out with them afterwards to act like an idiot at a dive bar drinking cheap American beer.

So lighten up. You are personifying the negative stereotypes that so many Asian-Americans are trying to distance themselves from. Seems like I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Anyhoo...

DP

Some asians have gotten hypersensitive about anti-asian racism recently. I think many of them were honestly surprised to find out that the colleges and universities had been discriminating against them. Anyone with half a brain knew this was going on but there is a population of asians that didn't, or wouldn't believe it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students I know who did well in admissions were packaged. More importantly they had A’s even if it meant less rigor. They were ruthless in their essays. Subtly does not come through. They repeated words, themes, ideas. They made sure admissions saw what they wanted them to see.

Did you read their apps?

This sounds like my DCs app. He didn't mean to be packaged.. it's just how it turned out when he put everything down. He was admitted REA to his top choice.

I do read apps. Not for college admissions though