Hi, guys, I’m an international student from Bangladesh, and I’m currently in the 11th grade. I know that race is an important factor in college admission(Asians need to be more impressive applicants, for example). However, does this also apply to international students? So, if I select Asian as my race in the common app, will that affect my chance of admission, even though I’m an international student? Thanks in advance!
It’s not so much the race bit for you: it’s the competition with other people from your country region that will be the challenge- esp if you apply to one of the handful of colleges that are disproportionately favored by many people in your region.
Yes it unfortunately will be noted if you check Asian. However not checking the box will raise suspicion. Your ethnicity and race can be inferred from several data points (parents names, birth place, your name). Being Bangladeshi you will be weighed in context (ie similar to Indians, Pakistanis). But there are plenty of Indian students who apply to colleges, so you will need to stand out.
The simple fact that you are from Bangladesh will be the challenge for you as international admissions for top colleges are much more competitive than for US students.