<p>I didn't do too badly in high school: I received academic recognitions, my GPA was high and my SAT scores competitive for the college I ended up going to. My current academic performance is above average. You might think that I am proud of my academic qualifications, but I am not. The way that school personnel (secretaries, receptionists, deans, librarians, career advisers, campus police) treat me leaves a lot to be desired. Their attitude towards me often suggests that they are not altogether sure I should be a student there, and they also seem to hesitate whenever I request their assistance with something. I often sense an air of condescension from other students, too. Not all students treat me condescendingly, of course, as there are also the super liberal, super open-minded students who try so hard not to look down on me I can't help but wonder why anyone would look down on me in the first place.</p>
<p>I hope that my brief rant did not offend anyone, although I suspect that some of you will feel inclined to characterize me as the typical underrepresented minority who blames his problems on the white man. Some of you will perhaps argue that almost everyone gets treated the way I get treated, so I should not complain. I really want people to tell me that everyone gets treated the way I get treated, as it would be very saddening to learn that people pick on me just because I am an underrepresented minority.</p>
<p>Because at the school I’m going to I get the same treatment and I’m about a white Western European as you can call someone in this country.</p>
<p>So I’m thinking the problem is not your ethnicity just the attitude of the college workers as well as the general differences in the way things are done in college/university as compared to high school.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, many people assume that all minorities at competitve schools are only there because of affirmative action. Granted, many minority students do receive a boost in their applications because of their race. However, if you truly were admitted based on merit, you will excell at the school and put all of your detractors to shame.</p>
<p>My solution? Don’t care what they think. I’m a minority in my department and people often think I got in because I’m a girl and ‘they went easier on me’. When I blow the curve on the first test, it shuts them up pretty quickly. With other students, being arrogant works because you don’t really rely on them for squat. But for administrators, I’d just get to know them well. I know my whole department, from the head down to the secretaries and the janitor. Anytime I want something done or fixed, I just ask politely and since they know me, they’re more than happy to help.</p>
<p>I’m not saying it’s a product of your imagination that you’re being talked down to, but do you think you could be blowing it a tad out of proportion? I hardly think EVERYONE thinks you’re there by luck or pity. Maybe some people do, but they can suck it and are probably jerks to everyone. Do well in your classes, be polite to adults, and beat the pants off the other snots by doing better than them and we’ll see who’s pitying who.</p>
<p>Adopted kids usually don’t have this problem so it isn’t just them being ignorant of you but also you being ignorant of them. That can change, and I promise that it is easier to change yourself than to change the world.</p>
<p>You’re only treated how you allow people to treat you.
If these people are upsetting you, tell them about it and get it off your chest. Better them be irritated the rest of the day than you. Pass the flame.</p>
<p>Your school has more than one dean. They also probably have a counseling center. They also probably have something that functions as a minority programming/support center. Exploit all of these locations.</p>
Your school has more than one dean. They also probably have a counseling center. They also probably have something that functions as a minority programming/support center. Exploit all of these locations.
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<p>I tried the counseling center but found little sympathy. I was treated condescendingly. I also visited the minority support center and nothing happened. The people there were respectful, but I got the feeling that they didn’t really like me. They probably thought “this guy gives us a bad name but since he is an underrepresented minority we must help him.”</p>
<p>nonetheless, i’m a student of color, and while i understand your qualms about being surrounded by a homogeneous student body, your posts have conveyed nothing more than a sense of helplessness. learn to stand up for yourself. also, continue to excel and your ability will be shown on its own. if you know youre capable and yet concerned with your peers doubting that, then that’s an insecurity on your part. keep doing what you do, but make it known that youre just as good if not better. you have to be strong mentally and not be afraid to bite back at people–that’s the only way you’ll get by in your situation.</p>