I’m Asian American, and I’ve heard a lot about it being extremely difficult for Asian Americans (people with Chinese, Indian, Japanese, etc. origins) to get into college. Are these statements accurate? If so, what will it take aside from exceptional grades to make it into a top college (MIT, Stanford, Ivy leagues, etc.)?
exceptional ECs (national awards, leadership, focus, dedication, etc.), exceptional essays (don’t write about coming to america), exceptional recs (so you don’t sound like a stereotypical Asian, and finally and most importantly, LUCK.
In case you’re not sure of the stereotype, the typical stereotype is being the child of immigrants (maybe even tiger parents that push you to do all these things) that does music and art related EC’s. If that’s you, that’s fine but be warned that there are so many Asian kids that go for the violin lessons and the theater. Just be passionate about what you do. Your EC’s need to represent who you are.
In your essay, choose something OTHER then ethnicity and American journey to talk about.
Two words: DO SPORTS
Honestly, be a good and interesting person. Be yourself, don’t pretend to be someone else.
I disagree on “not writing about immigration/coming to America”. That’s what I wrote about–for my CommonApp, for my MIT essays, and for a lot of things. My college application process turned out perfectly. I don’t have the best test scores, but I try hard in everything I do. (And I was able to try hard because I enjoy what I do.)
If you like doodling and writing Fanfiction? Go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You like policy making and engaging in debates? Do it. Research, Science Olympiad, US Olympiads? Different sports? Entrepreneurship stuff? Don’t let anyone stop you. If you like these activities, do them passionately, and do them well. Consider selling your art on Etsy, consider self-publishing something. Join in Boys/Girls States and enter the USSY program. Enter Intel/Siemens Competitions… You get the gist.
There might be slight bias against Asians in the admission process, but in the end, the difference isn’t that big. It wouldn’t make or break your life, I promise. Do what you enjoy. Be happy. It’ll turn out okay in the end.
three words: other than tennis
Being Asian may be a bit less advantageous at schools in the UC System as the Asian population there is a majority, but others should not be a problem. The colleges do not consider race as a major factor unless you are a disadvantaged ethnicity. If your stats are high enough and ECs are great, there should be no problem.
I’m Asian. I never really was interested in anything artsy or musical, even though my white parents actually probably would have encouraged me to pursue. I did soccer and that was my main gig. Looking around and growing up, very rarely did I see an Asian soccer player. That counts for both the male and female sides of the spectrum. Sports aren’t really a “stereotypical thing” for Asians so if you like that, definitely attempt to follow through.
(also to add on to my post and to oppose some of the other comments here–I didn’t do any sports in the varsity level, though I play tennis for fun. I’m actually terrible at the sport but it’s enjoyable. Still, everything turned out okay. Don’t be anyone else. Be yourself. Don’t try to actively fight the stereotype or force yourself to do something you don’t like. That won’t help. You do you, and do it well.)