<p>I'm an asian (Chinese, Taiwanese, whatever politicians choose to call us) and I'm more into humanities. I get pretty good grades for science and math, but literature is my passion. I'm considering majoring in Comparative Literature or English Literature. I've been educated in regular Chinese schools in Taiwan for my whole life. I am, however, a US citizen so I'm not considered an International. Does this background give me any disadvantage/advantage at all? All the kids I know in Taiwan who are going to the US for college are science/math oriented. Would I be considered, in any way, 'unique' or something?? And would well-rounded asians be more at an advantage than really science/math asians?</p>
<p>Actually, are you sure you're not considered an international? I thought that it just depended on where you were applying from, geographically. If you're from Taiwan, you'd still be in the international pool, no?</p>
<p>Let's make this clear people, I am asian. A true, fresh off the boat asian. On average, asian parents focus on education, which makes asian people overrepresented in colleges. They have to keep the numbers down so they grade asians harder, because most asians have had luckier upbringings. Blacks on average have had less focus, so colleges try to up their representation in colleges. If that means some lucky shmuck gets in even though both his parents are PhDs, then so be it. </p>
<p>It's for the good of the country. The college admissions rates each person depending on how well they perform within their own group. If an asian is considered weak within his own group, then he won't get in. If a black person is considered strong within his own group, then he'll get in. After all, Harvard with 40% asians is simply another UCLA. </p>
<p>And no, unless Rockkao you have shown science/math skills along with humanities, your acceptance will simply raise the already overrepresented asian percentage while weakining their math/science departments, so no you're not at an advantage.</p>
<p>And you think it's completely fair that colleges see people merely as members of a group and not as individuals? It should be about academical strenth and focus. Judging people by their background or race is simply racist.</p>
<p>It's not fair, definitely.</p>
<p>But when blacks and latinos seem to have become the lower castes in a society such as America which value opportunity (supposedly) you have to do something to balance it out a little. Personally I'm only for giving preferred admissions to lower income URM students, not wealthy upper-middle or rich black or hispanic students.</p>
<p>Kamikazewave, you are one sick person. That, or highly delusional.
I am a US citizen, born here and as American as any kid out there. I, however, must pay my price due to my 100% chinese heritage.
Don't you all realize in the real world how many people think "oh he's not that great, he got in because of AA" when someone is like "I know this African-American guy who is in Harvard!" AA IS reverse discrimination. Yes, our world is not perfect. But two wrongs don't make a right.
What all colleges and the country in general are heading for is ridiculously sick. You are taking away the accomplishments of those URM who actually would have gotten in without any extra help and putting an asterisk next to everything they do in life.
America is supposed to be a place where you are judged as an individual. Why are we trying to right the wrongs of the past when instead of trying to make it fair RIGHT NOW, when we can still make a difference?
Anti-AA people are not dreamers; they just have thought about the topic a little more.</p>
<p>Please read this paper for more information: <a href="http://opr.princeton.edu/faculty/tje/espenshadessqptii.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://opr.princeton.edu/faculty/tje/espenshadessqptii.pdf</a></p>
<p>I'd worry about differentiating yourself from the "stereotypical asian college applicant" picture that every admissions officer sees thousands of every year.</p>
<p>Do you play violin?
Do you do well in math/science and academic-based clubs that focus on those?
Do you stay away from most sports besides table tennis?</p>
<p>Seriously, there's a typecast that it's probably easy to fall into.</p>
<p>Be special in some way, and it won't matter what the color of your skin.</p>
<p>Teslacharged is right on all counts.</p>
<p>The job of admissions is to create the most diverse and most qualified class they can. I think you'd find that most AA programs are selecting qualified candidates...maybe it sucks but they do think of it in part as creating the most diverse class they can. </p>
<p>Also, legacy admissions are basically the same thing but for traditionally advantaged white people. And how many athletes get into schools with lower stats than usual? But in a way, they are bringing needed athletic "diversity". There's lots of ways for individuals to gain an edge in admissions. Is it unfair that because genetically you weren't born a star athlete you will need to be more qualified than someone who genetically was? Is it unfair that I have been able to do a sport that might be financially out of reach for most people because my parents can afford it? Other people out there could have the best at this sport but maybe never got the chance to decide that. Certainly none of these things are fair. </p>
<p>I'm not saying anyone is wrong, this is just how I see it.</p>
<p>Kamikazewave: you contradict yourself seriously.</p>
<p>You said generally asians have better backgrounds. "Assuming" you're right, then you only prove to the point that admissions officer should look at each applicant's background to decide. The background may include family income, parents' degrees...etc, but the color of the skin can give you nothing. Absolutely nothing. </p>
<p>"Supposing" you're arguement stands, it's better for the country. Then admissions officer should definitely look at wealth and family beliefs or parents' degrees. But that has NOTHING to do with ethnicity. </p>
<p>As a conclusion, to separate oneself, an asian should be extremely good at math/science, but be extremely good at language and social science as well.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback, guys! </p>
<p>I think kenny616 made a great point. Background does matter, but I don't think it's fair to automatically assign a certain background to a certain race. And I agree that "an asian should be extremely good at math/science, but be extremely good at language and social science as well." Actually, if you substitute 'an asian' with 'an applicant', it's still a valid statement.</p>
<p>Kamikazewave, I don't really understand you, though. Do you think admission officers see Asians as tools or something to help them strengthen their math/science departments? Perhaps I'm being naive here but I really hope that individuality matters more. I can understand if sometimes stereotypes are at a disadvantage because colleges want diversity among students, but I don't think that once you stray from that stereotype you're 'weakening' what colleges gain from the stereotypical. </p>
<p>Thanks for all your feedback, anyway.</p>
<p>"Do you stay away from most sports besides table tennis?"</p>
<p>lolol I'm sorry for not having much feedback, but that's worded hilariously lol.</p>