For an applicant that falls into all these categories, would the hook of being a first generation student still apply despite being Asian? Assuming need blind schools, I am under the impression that although they are need blind they can recognize if an applicant is low income and that this may help slightly in admissions if the other aspects of the application are all solid. Any input or comment? Just looking for some insight on this.
First gen is generally considered to be a plus, low income CAN be (also can work against you if the school is not need blind), being Asian - like being white - is neutral. Being female can help at some STEM-centric tech schools, being male can help at LACs and some universities.
None of these factors are huge, just a small plus or minus.
@OHMomof2 I’ve applied to need-blind schools and on my common app it shows that my application fees have been waived. I was worried that since I’m Asian that it would “cancel out” being first generation in terms of having a slight advantage with that hook
You’ll hear people say that being Asian is a minus from some people on this site.I am not one of them.
It sounds like you’ve already applied everywhere? Are you looking for additional school suggestions or just trying to guess your chances based on those 3 factors?
I’ve applied to my early schools, ED Duke, EA UChicago and was curious as to how those 3 factors would affect my application/decision. @OHMomof2
No one can say. Beyond those factors are of course your high school grades/rigor…test scores…activities…your story/essay…what part of the country you are from…what you plan to major in. A lot gets considered beyond race/first gen/low income.
I’m purely curious, why don’t you believe being Asian is a minus during admissions? From all the info I’ve gathered during the application process and college search/admissions research the general consensus is that being Asian hurts for the top universities or so it appears to me. @OHMomof2
I don’t think it’s a minus, as I don’t believe being white is a minus. It’s just not a plus like being an under-represented minority (if you were Hmong it might help actually as so few apply to selective schools).
Being an Asian male from CAapplying to a LAC in the midwest can be a plus. Being a white female from VT applying to a tech school in CA can be a plus.
Being one of many kids from the same area applying to the same schools with the same set of majors is a minus, or rather, it just makes it more competitive.
You need to worry about the things you can change.