Okay, I want to ask this question now, early in high school, so I don’t regret decisions I am going to make soon. I have good grades (4.85+ / 5 with all highest level classes), will get good test scores, and am generally good at learning.
Currently, I am very into computers (it might possibly be a phase) and do computer science related community service and Extra Curriculars such as robotics. I go to a high-ranked public school in an affluent town near Boston, MA. I will be the first child in my family to go to college, though my parents both went to college. Here’s the thing though… they went to college in India and both became computer scientists!
That’s right! My race is Indian and I’m a Hindu! Unfortunately, I fit into the stereotype of being a nerdy Indian computer geek.
I know that there are people who will probably have better grades than me and may be better at programming than me. The majority of these people are Asians, as Computer Science is a field that, for some reason, many smart Asians are attracted to and excel at.
So here are my questions:
What do I have to do to show the top colleges (northwestern, upenn, cornell, etc.) that I am not only as good as the other Asians who are competing with me, but will diversify their class and bring things that my other brothers won’t be able to bring.
Should I consider exploring more fields, especially those in which Asians are an underrepresented group. Will this help my chances of standing out. I love many subjects, CS is just what I am currently most interested in. My dad tells me that Indians and Asians choose CS for a reason, it is the safest, easiest (once one is working), and has the most room for people to start companies and make new products.
Is it even going to be harder to get in or is that just a myth?
4) Also, if you are willing, could you tell me what a rising sophomore like me has to do to be highly considered in ED by colleges such as Northwestern and Upenn, considering GPA, class rank, SAT scores, subject test scores, community service+extracurriculars, and anything else you can think of.
Here’s the thing (and you haven’t gotten many answers to this because of the folder it’s in (“internships and careers”) but I believe you have to truly go with your passion…you love computers, don’t push that aside. But is there another part of your brain that you might pursue…music or sports or reaching out to your community…something that shows a side of you other than technology.
I think your premise is off. The schools you are interested in are looking for students who will be doing extraordinary things in 20 years. How do you select them without a crystal ball? Regardless of their race, ethnicity or country of origin, they tend to distinguish themselves at an early age in the context of whatever community or country they reside in.
So, if you have a country called Pogo and nearly everyone in that country rides Pogo Sticks, the one that rides a bike is probably more likely to be the one that does something extraordinary in 20 years. It isn’t the bike riding that is of interest to the schools. It is the characteristics of that person who chose to ride a bike in the context of a community that probably endorses pogo sticks over bikes. The bike rider is capable of ignoring societal expectations to conform and chooses what he/she thinks is best.
Sites like this one, along with books and other material, disseminate that idea. As a result, you have literally thousands of students trying to look like they are that nonconforming student who has the characteristics that the schools are seeking-that is, being that individual most likely to do extraordinary (as opposed to ordinary, usual, conforming) things in 20 years. Well the irony is that the very act of joining the thousands in that pursuit is the antithesis of what these schools are seeking.
@SouthernHope I am into music… by computer lol. I am in my school’s music by computer class and will do the next (and final) level next year. I am definitely the best in my class but I feel like there are so many people on the internet who make music. How do I make mine stand out? Or does it not have to?
Lost account is saying that you should excel at what you enjoy doing and be a genuine person. Yes, unfortunately the competition is fierce for both white and Asian kids, who are over-represented at top colleges. It’s reality, and you have to put yourself forward as a likable person that schools want to have at their college. So what if there are other kids studying the same thing? You be you, show what kind of person you are with your activities and your essay, ask for recommendations from teachers you like who also like you and can attest to your personality.
Yes, make your music stand out. Have a pro listen to it and give you advice. Refine or improve your music and Send music supplements.
Yes, explore other interests, but don’t go nuts trying to be involved with fifty things. Volunteer. Be committed to something.
Apply to some LACs, where you will get a rigorous education and a lot of personal attention. Asians are often underrepresented at LACs, but people who know understand that many of the LACs are as rigorous and prestigious at the elite universities.
Yes, it will be harder for you. If you want to apply ED, make,sure your grades and test scores are great throughout high school. The really top schools will have the cream of the crop applying ED. You want to be the top of the cream.
No doubt, you will get into a top school regardless. I live by Notre Dame and about 1/4 of students are exactly how you describe yourself. If you want to stand out at multiple top schools though I would look into other interests. Show a less technical side of yourself by becoming interested in an art like painting, drawing or writing. Look into other interests you could maybe incorporate with your CS too- like graphic design? Or work with some sort of community organization that you are interested in to code a website!
By limiting yourself to “top colleges” (according to who?) you are perpetuating the stereotype. Open yourself to the couple hundred fine schools where you can find the best fit, not someone else’s idea of where you belong.
@snarlatron Okay, but the top colleges are considered the top for a reason. I have big aspirations and it is much easier for them to be realized in a setting where everyone is a genius and many companies recognize the college as prestigious. I don’t care where I go, but I know a more prestigious college will make getting a job or investments in a product much easier.
@lostaccount I am interested in all colleges I just gave those as an example. I’m only a rising sophomore. I live near MIT and know two people who go there. Thanks for sharing that link!
@katiecar thanks Katie! I am thinking about taking my music class to the next level. I think you guys just convinced me to talk to my teacher about what more I can do relating to music by computer.
Your bigger problem may be living in “an affluent town near Boston, MA.”
Yes, pursue the music. Yes, volunteer- but not just the random one shot things. Find a cause of some sort, something with responsibilities, where you roll up your sleeves. Commit to it.
What’s “computer science related community service?” You help the elderly or you’re part of some larger project in the community? Stem kids in places like Boston can aim to work alongside pro’s, get some internship, show that you test your skills and responsibilities- and grow.
There are probably a lot of opportunities in your Robotics team (if you are on a FIRST team) to do community outreach and help others learn about robotics and build skills. And those efforts in turn can really help you team during awards season.
