Reply to NY Times on new application essays dabbling in so-called "identities"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have no idea what it means not to partake in "identification".  Are you saying that your kid refuses to answer questions about their gender, or religion, or nationality, or family status or hobbies?

Everyone I know identifies as something.  [/quote]

If you're a white male, cis/het, not religious, UMC, family been here a long time and intermixed (generic European), truly what is there to say?

I'm not in this category but I feel like these Qs should be optional. Otherwise it is very cringe and fake.[/quote]

You could write about your identity as teacher, scientist, artist, craftsman, writer, big brother, etc. What led you to define yourself as you do today.[/quote]

College AO: "Oh, not a minority, then, or you would have mentioned it? On the reject pile you go."[/quote]

And yet except for HBCU's, most colleges are overwhelmingly white. How does that work?[/quote]
1. why do colleges need to reflect society?
2. most higher achieving kids are white or Asian
3. most students who are apply are white or Asian, so colleges are a representation of the applicant pool, not the general public, but even so, the majority of people in this country are white.[/quote]

1. Are you kidding? Why would a college want a monolithic student body? Having kids from different areas, different backgrounds, different talents and skills makes for a more interesting student body. If 99.9% of your student body are New England private school kids with Mayflower ancestors who all play squash and took the same classes in college, wouldn't that be boring? Yes, yes it would!

2. When you are talking about 100 applicants for every 5 admitted, you're free to pick and choose based on what kids seem most interesting to you. Also your assertion that white and Asian kids are "higher achieving" is based on your criteria. I'd think a kid who overcame a background of poverty to excel in different areas of life has achieved quite a lot, even if his SAT isn't 1600. Especially if he didn't have all the paid-for guidance and opportunities along the way.

3. I can guarantee you that all those white and Asian kids who are applying to highly selective colleges are going to get into some college somewhere. In fact, every kid can get into some college somewhere, and if you are really bright and intelligent and high-achieving you'll likely get accepted into a great school, even if it's not Harvard. Your high-achieving white child is not owed a spot at Harvard just because you think Larlo/a is super special. Get out of the dull-witted mindset that only a degree from one of a handful of elite schools is going to lead to lifetime success. If your kid is brilliant they will do well no matter where they go. [/quote]

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