Anonymous
Post 05/01/2014 11:04     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't want to get caught up in the back-and-forth, but it is not controversial that currently colleges are seeking male students and it is thus slightly more favorable to be a male applicant. (That does not mean, of course, that men who are admitted to elite colleges are less than superbly qualified.)


really depends on the college and the program. If you are male and trying to get into computer science or engineering programs, it is not at all favorable.


I think that is accurate for some of the more specialized schools -- basically where the nature of the school is an engineering school, or the relatively few schools where you have to apply to a specific program and the specific program is heavily male. So, for example, while there is a slight disadvantage in being a girl who is applying to an Ivy like Harvard or Yale (in which you are admitted to the general undergraduate college), there is not the same disadvantage when applying to a place like MIT or Cal Tech. As to whether there is an advantage in being female at those places I don't know (but it might well be the case). Because most liberal arts colleges do a general admissions approach (as at HYP) on balance the college application picture has gotten a little bit harder for girls. But from the articles I've seen, being a male applicant is obviously not a "hook" of anywhere near the magnitude of legacy, URM, or recruited athlete status (for male and female applicants), and there's no "girl penalty" of the scale of the fairly well-documented "Asian penalty."
Anonymous
Post 05/01/2014 10:25     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Oh please pp.
Anonymous
Post 05/01/2014 09:58     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Anonymous wrote:I don't want to get caught up in the back-and-forth, but it is not controversial that currently colleges are seeking male students and it is thus slightly more favorable to be a male applicant. (That does not mean, of course, that men who are admitted to elite colleges are less than superbly qualified.)


really depends on the college and the program. If you are male and trying to get into computer science or engineering programs, it is not at all favorable.
Anonymous
Post 05/01/2014 09:28     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:PP, in the overall scheme of things it is obvious that some students ultimately have better admissions outcomes because they were born to a more affluent household, had access to better resources, more time with their parents, attended better schools, lived in stable settings, afforded superior athletic training, or were blessed with the right athletic build and talents. Perhaps young women have better admissions outcomes because they are more organized, more responsible, less fidgety. Or perhaps, as you argue, young men (of all ethnicities and races) now have a better chance because they are currently under-represented vis-a-vis similarly situated young women. And Asian students can probably make the argument that they have it harder (need better grades, scores, ECs) with respect to everyone else. You are right that recruited athletes, under-represented minority students, legacies, big donors, famous people, and other groups also get some preferential treatment. My point is simply this, most of us, receive/earn/get/have some "preferential treatment" in life which enables our children to have a better chance in college admissions. So, let's not single out the Latinos, and let us "embrace" each other and ourselves for all that we do have.


That wonderful peace and quiet is the result of all of us realizing and appreciating that, yes, life has blessed our families and our children with some "preferential treatment".


Agreed
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2014 21:46     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
I don't want to get caught up in the back-and-forth, but it is not controversial that currently colleges are seeking male students and it is thus slightly more favorable to be a male applicant. (That does not mean, of course, that men who are admitted to elite colleges are less than superbly qualified.)
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2014 19:09     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just read the best 388 colleges which includes scores/percentages. I love when women subjugate themselves to men (not)... why so defensive about being Latino--embrace it


"Embrace it"? Let me guess, you are an affluent Caucasian woman of a certain age. Am I correct?

You are being very dismissive of Latinos. Yes, I embrace being born to immigrant parents who came to this country with nothing. Yes, I embrace my darker skin. Yes, I embrace speaking only Spanish until I began first grade with no English. Yes, I embrace speaking Spanish at home my entire childhood. Yes, I embrace being called an "illegal alien" and "immigrant" for most of my elementary school years. Yes, I embrace earning top grades and test scores in high school, and going on to earn top grades at my elite college and graduate school. Yes, I embrace living in a lovely house, and sending my children to Big 3 privates. Yes, I embrace having all of my American-born children speak only Spanish at home, and having them use it outside the home whenever they have the opportunity to (which, thank God, is happening more often in the country).

If you yourself are not Latina, then you have absolutely no business telling someone who is most definitely and proudly Latina to "embrace it"(!) Would it ever occur to you to approach an African American, a Latino, an Asian, or a Muslim, on the street, and to tell them to "embrace being [African American, Latino, Asian, Muslim]"? I certainly hope that your answer is no, and if it is, then please do not tell people of different races, religions, or ethnicities to "embrace themselves" on an anonymous forum either.


You aren't the loud lady [Sofia Vergara] on Modern Family, by any chance?


I really hope that this is meant to be a friendly joke, because otherwise things have taken a rather unpleasant turn on this post.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2014 16:44     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just read the best 388 colleges which includes scores/percentages. I love when women subjugate themselves to men (not)... why so defensive about being Latino--embrace it


Embrace it? Let me guess, you are an affluent Caucasian woman of a certain age. Right? (It might be best if you deny it).

You are being very dismissive of Latinos. Yes, I embrace being born to immigrant parents who came to this country with nothing. Yes, I embrace my darker skin. Yes, I embrace speaking Spanish only -- until I began first grade speaking no English. Yes, I embrace speaking only Spanish at home my entire childhood. Yes, I embrace being called an "illegal alien" and "immigrant" for most of my early school years. Yes, I embrace earning top grades and test scores in high school, and going on to earn top grades at my elite college and graduate school. Yes, I [totally!] embrace living in a $4 million house, and sending my children to Big 3 privates. Yes, I embrace having all of my American-born children speak only Spanish at home, and having them use it outside the home whenever they have the opportunity to (which, thank God, is happening more often in the country).

If you yourself are not Latina, have no business telling someone who is most definitely and proudly Latina to "embrace it"(!) Would it ever occur to you to approach an African American, a Latino, an Asian, or a Muslim, on the street, and to tell them to "embrace being [African American, Latino, Asian, Muslim]? If hope that your answer is no, and if it is, then do not tell people of different races, religions, or ethnicities to "embrace themselves" on an anonymous forum either. (Donald Sterling is obviously not the only one who should be outed as racist [i]and condescending.)


You aren't the loud lady on Modern Family, by any chance?


Because that's the only Latina you know, right? (NP here, BTW)
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2014 16:15     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just read the best 388 colleges which includes scores/percentages. I love when women subjugate themselves to men (not)... why so defensive about being Latino--embrace it


Embrace it? Let me guess, you are an affluent Caucasian woman of a certain age. Right? (It might be best if you deny it).

You are being very dismissive of Latinos. Yes, I embrace being born to immigrant parents who came to this country with nothing. Yes, I embrace my darker skin. Yes, I embrace speaking Spanish only -- until I began first grade speaking no English. Yes, I embrace speaking only Spanish at home my entire childhood. Yes, I embrace being called an "illegal alien" and "immigrant" for most of my early school years. Yes, I embrace earning top grades and test scores in high school, and going on to earn top grades at my elite college and graduate school. Yes, I [totally!] embrace living in a $4 million house, and sending my children to Big 3 privates. Yes, I embrace having all of my American-born children speak only Spanish at home, and having them use it outside the home whenever they have the opportunity to (which, thank God, is happening more often in the country).

If you yourself are not Latina, have no business telling someone who is most definitely and proudly Latina to "embrace it"(!) Would it ever occur to you to approach an African American, a Latino, an Asian, or a Muslim, on the street, and to tell them to "embrace being [African American, Latino, Asian, Muslim]? If hope that your answer is no, and if it is, then do not tell people of different races, religions, or ethnicities to "embrace themselves" on an anonymous forum either. (Donald Sterling is obviously not the only one who should be outed as racist [i]and condescending.)


You aren't the loud lady on Modern Family, by any chance?
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2014 15:55     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Anonymous wrote:PP, in the overall scheme of things it is obvious that some students ultimately have better admissions outcomes because they were born to a more affluent household, had access to better resources, more time with their parents, attended better schools, lived in stable settings, afforded superior athletic training, or were blessed with the right athletic build and talents. Perhaps young women have better admissions outcomes because they are more organized, more responsible, less fidgety. Or perhaps, as you argue, young men (of all ethnicities and races) now have a better chance because they are currently under-represented vis-a-vis similarly situated young women. And Asian students can probably make the argument that they have it harder (need better grades, scores, ECs) with respect to everyone else. You are right that recruited athletes, under-represented minority students, legacies, big donors, famous people, and other groups also get some preferential treatment. My point is simply this, most of us, receive/earn/get/have some "preferential treatment" in life which enables our children to have a better chance in college admissions. So, let's not single out the Latinos, and let us "embrace" each other and ourselves for all that we do have.


That wonderful peace and quiet is the result of all of us realizing and appreciating that, yes, life has blessed our families and our children with some "preferential treatment".
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2014 15:09     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Anonymous wrote:Yes indeed. I embrace who I am and I expect others to embrace who they are and not to be in denial about getting preferential treatment.


PP, in the overall scheme is obvious that some students ultimately have better admissions outcomes because they were born to a more affluent household, had access to better resources, more time with their parents, attended better schools, lived in stable settings, afforded superior athletic training, or were blessed with the right athletic build and talents. Perhaps young women have better admissions outcomes because they are more organized, more responsible, less fidgety. Or perhaps, as you argue, young men (of all ethnicities and races) now have a better chance because they are currently under-represented vis-a-vis similarly situated young women. And Asian students can probably make the argument that they have it harder (need better grades, scores, ECs) with respect to everyone else. You are right that recruited athletes, under-represented minority students, legacies, big donors, famous people, and other groups also get some preferential treatment. My point is simply this, most of us, receive/earn/get/have some "preferential treatment" in life which enables our children to have a better chance in college admissions. So, let's not single out the Latinos, and let us "embrace" each other and ourselves for all that we do have.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2014 14:55     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Yes indeed. I embrace who I am and I expect others to embrace who they are and not to be in denial about getting preferential treatment.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2014 14:53     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just read the best 388 colleges which includes scores/percentages. I love when women subjugate themselves to men (not)... why so defensive about being Latino--embrace it


Embrace it? Let me guess, you are an affluent Caucasian woman of a certain age. Right? (It might be best if you deny it).

You are being very dismissive of Latinos. Yes, I embrace being born to immigrant parents who came to this country with nothing. Yes, I embrace my darker skin. Yes, I embrace speaking Spanish only -- until I began first grade speaking no English. Yes, I embrace speaking only Spanish at home my entire childhood. Yes, I embrace being called an "illegal alien" and "immigrant" for most of my early school years. Yes, I embrace earning top grades and test scores in high school, and going on to earn top grades at my elite college and graduate school. Yes, I [totally!] embrace living in a $4 million house, and sending my children to Big 3 privates. Yes, I embrace having all of my American-born children speak only Spanish at home, and having them use it outside the home whenever they have the opportunity to (which, thank God, is happening more often in the country).

If you yourself are not Latina, have no business telling someone who is most definitely and proudly Latina to "embrace it"(!) Would it ever occur to you to approach an African American, a Latino, an Asian, or a Muslim, on the street, and to tell them to "embrace being [African American, Latino, Asian, Muslim]? If hope that your answer is no, and if it is, then do not tell people of different races, religions, or ethnicities to "embrace themselves" on an anonymous forum either. (Donald Sterling is obviously not the only one who should be outed as racist [i]and condescending.)


It's getting hot in here!
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2014 14:52     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Anonymous wrote:Don't assume pp that everyone who is white is affluent and born into money. I put away my violin a long time ago. You seem to want it both ways...to brag about your affluence and then to be able to check the box.


PP, you are being (rightly) criticized for being very condescending to and dismissive of a minority. She brings up a good question, would it ever occur to you to publicly tell a minority to "embrace themselves?" I personally think that you owe the previous poster an apology. As to your other point, no one assumes that anyone was born into money, and in fact I personally assume that most people are not. Currently, universities are attempting to equalize years of under-representation by minority students by admitting qualified minority applicants from a variety of social, economic, racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds. You should not criticize the previous poster for checking a box that is available to them -- especially since that box is not contingent on SES. You, yourself, are probably the beneficiary of more women than ever being admitted to college regardless of their SES.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2014 14:43     Subject: How did your DC fare applying to top colleges from privates that don't rank or weight grades/GPA?
Anonymous wrote:Just read the best 388 colleges which includes scores/percentages. I love when women subjugate themselves to men (not)... why so defensive about being Latino--embrace it


NP here. PP, I honestly think that you are a bit out of line (though I am certain that you did not intend to be). And I can see how the previous commenter might be a bit offended by your post. Honestly, you do come across as a little negative about your daughter's chances. If you go into the admissions process being positive and supportive, instead of negative, "victimized", and resigned, that will surely help your wonderful daughter a great deal.