Admitting you are Asian (college apps)

[Anonymous]

DD is a rising senior at a school full of Asians (TJHSST) - is it best to admit she is Asian on college apps or say "other", or "prefer not to reply" even though it's pretty obvious from her name that her family is from the Indian subcontinent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is a rising senior at a school full of Asians (TJHSST) - is it best to admit she is Asian on college apps or say "other", or "prefer not to reply" even though it's pretty obvious from her name that her family is from the Indian subcontinent?

Does she have an Indian last name? Do her siblings? Will it be obvious in interviews?

[Anonymous]

My kid is also at TJ, not that matters. I have always wondered why Indian doesn't count as Asian by the racial bean counters. Personally, I think the only appropriate answer to racial questions is "F you."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is a rising senior at a school full of Asians (TJHSST) - is it best to admit she is Asian on college apps or say "other", or "prefer not to reply" even though it's pretty obvious from her name that her family is from the Indian subcontinent?

Does she have an Indian last name? Do her siblings? Will it be obvious in interviews?

First, middle and last names are all Indian...

[Anonymous]

I think I just answered my own question...

[Anonymous]

To quote a good friend: my child would not want to attend a school where their race is a strike against them.

Also, on interview it will be apparent.

Last but not least, don’t you want your child to be proud of who they are? Dońt teach them to deny their heritage.

For all of these reasons, my child marked Asian on her applications.

(If anything, I think it helped her. She was looking at SLAC’s and many of them struggle with diversity)

[Anonymous]

My friend whose son is half-Chinese said he is going to identify as white on his college applications.

[Anonymous]

Liberal arts colleges look favorably to students with high stats, Asian or not. Those who do well in SLACs can expect to go anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Liberal arts colleges look favorably to students with high stats, Asian or not. Those who do well in SLACs can expect to go anywhere.

What about STEM?

[Anonymous]

I think it’s so sad that an Asian kid feels the need to hide identity because of discrimination. I’m white and I’m very empathetic to this. I’m sorry OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend whose son is half-Chinese said he is going to identify as white on his college applications.

Ours too. Fortunately their last name (which is Asian) could also be Scandinavian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s so sad that an Asian kid feels the need to hide identity because of discrimination. I’m white and I’m very empathetic to this. I’m sorry OP.

There is nothing inherently wrong with discrimination. When you choose a salad as your side, you discriminate against the French fries. That isn’t the issue.

I have no problem with colleges that desire a diverse student body effectively putting a cap on how many students of a similar background they will accept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Liberal arts colleges look favorably to students with high stats, Asian or not. Those who do well in SLACs can expect to go anywhere.

What about STEM?

STEM is not the opposite of LAC!

Only top schools can academically afford to admit holistically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s so sad that an Asian kid feels the need to hide identity because of discrimination. I’m white and I’m very empathetic to this. I’m sorry OP.

There is nothing inherently wrong with discrimination. When you choose a salad as your side, you discriminate against the French fries. That isn’t the issue.

I have no problem with colleges that desire a diverse student body effectively putting a cap on how many students of a similar background they will accept.

You've stepped in it now Trying to use the actual definition of the word "discriminate." Nothing good will come from this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To quote a good friend: my child would not want to attend a school where their race is a strike against them.

Also, on interview it will be apparent.

Last but not least, don’t you want your child to be proud of who they are? Dońt teach them to deny their heritage.

For all of these reasons, my child marked Asian on her applications.

(If anything, I think it helped her. She was looking at SLAC’s and many of them struggle with diversity)

I don't think this has anything to do with not being proud of their heritage. It's about avoiding the Asian penalty in schools that in effect have one. Your DD's school clearly didn't have one. Other school in effect do.