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this post is depressing for the asian community, as we all play the (violin, viola, cello, piano), all do math/science clubs/competitions, and largely fill the same "niche" that the op mentioned.
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<p>My son is, by descent from my wife and through the social contacts of both of us, part of the "Asian community." And, sure enough, he does a fair number of math competitions (although he was introduced to them by an English-American family :) ) and also plays the piano. But he is his own person. If some member of some admissions committee says, "Here comes yet another Asian-American math competitor" when reviewing his application, that's just that school's loss. He'll find a place to be himself, I'm sure. </p>
<p>And, yes, in response to another reply, it is a bit annoying to be too poor to pay full list price and too rich to get a guaranteed 100 percent full ride, but, hey, meanwhile we get to spend the money we have as we please, and get to live the lifestyle we choose with our eyes open, and again I am sure that my son will find a place in some college where he can thrive. The point made by several replies that children can show a passion without lots of out-of-pocket expense is definitely true, and is something my son is learning a lot about. </p>
<p>Thanks to DudeDiligence for starting an interesting thread that helps us review what we've been learning here on CC.</p>
<p>lol, i hope admissions comittees see past the activities and ethnicity, because i'm as stereotypical as they come, a violinist who has done well in math competitions, even my sat's show this</p>
<p>I, for one, would not jump on the "need a new term for adcom" bandwagon. Even if it might not be used universally by the "fill-in-the-blanks-for-exact- title-of-admissions'-officer" the word adcom is VERY direct and simple. In the jungle of arcane acronyms, I doubt that anyone is confused about the interpretation of adcom. Does it really matter if the correct title is one of the known variations of "director of admissions." FWIW, I find the addoff or adrep incredibly silly. </p>
<p>Also, the term adcom is far from being a CC exclusivity and neither was it coined on this forum. Throw google at "adcom" and you'll find a sea of references with countless MBA boards. </p>
<p>I am wondering if the dismay about the term "adcom" stems from it closeness to "adcon" -which stand for Admissions Consultant- and its unmistakable emphasis on the CON part. :)</p>
<p>Epiphany ... my sincere apologies if I came across as hostile or contentious. That wasn't my intention at all. In fact, my post to you was an edited post where I deliberately toned it down because I thought my post was contentious when I meant nothing of the kind.</p>
<p>My explanation for any poor judgment in tone has something to do with my rather long hiatus from CC-World. After being involved in due diligence on these boards since sometime in 2003 (my 2004 graduate son, followed by by 2006 graduate daughter), I took some time off of these boards in Aug - about now to help my daughter focus on her apps (not that she needs my help). But perhaps more accurately, I had really OD'd on DD and CC. I sometimes thought that the boards could use more information, more and varied opinions, and sometimes a little less debate. I debated with myself about even starting the "My Dinner . . . " thread -- because I didn't have the patience for debates that were already going-on in various other threads -- but ultimately decided to go ahead just because I thought the information was ... well ... kind of "cool" ... and simply nice to hear. While I really didn't think I was very contentious at all, if there was a hint of that towards you, it happened because I was almost waiting for the kind of response you brought up.</p>
<p>Again, my apologies. You're entitled to make that kind of response ... and entitled to draw your own conclusions from the information I supplied. Sorry about that. I now return you to your regular programming.</p>
<p>Thank you Dudedilgence for an excellent post, which rings very true, particularly in terms of the idea that once a student is qualified, some of the process is simply about being in the right place at the right time. I agree with Digmedia about nicknames. Indeed, nowadays, I think what many students need is for the admissionÂs committee at the highly selective schools to be able to give the applicant a Âdouble hook description, such as Âviolin playing, soccer star or Âplaywright, chef or Âhomeless advocate, inventor to make them stand out form the crowd.</p>
<p>I just say AO. There is something rude about calling people Adcom's, to my ear. Epiphany has a habit of having to counter every (perceived) personal point, making for some very tedious long threads, skip the apology and don't engage. Aside from that, fun thread and wouldn't I have loved to be in your shoes.</p>
<p>Xiggi ... I've long been a fan of many of your posts. Thanks for your response. Really ... the "adcom" love it or leave it part of my post was meant in the most light-hearted way. I don't know, "adcom" seems a catchy-enough phrase -- that is, if you're referring to what it sounds like you're referring to, the GROUP, the COLLECTIVE, the admissions committee. But how is an individual ... whatever you want to call that individual ... an "adcom?" Perhaps it's my background in government and law which won't let me get past the syllable "com" as always referring to committee. That and the fact that those animals ... the rare and elusive whatever you want to call them ... don't refer to themselves as that (no matter the widespread use elsewhere).</p>
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<p>If you have the $$, you can afford to have your kid cultivate interesting and exotic activities that will become the standout EC's.<<</p>
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<p>Actually, due to lack of $$, I have been able to enjoy "exotic" and interesting ECs and other experiences!</p>
<p>Read the first post and skimmed the rest but I want to highlight something Cujoe said...and He Gets It: if you have 20 people occupying the same niche and the AdCom is going to take six or so from that niche, you shouldn't start crying "Discrimination!" I got jumped all over by some Asian students in one of the Student Fora last year who just didn't want to hear it. </p>
<p>I've told more than one Chinese student to take up the bagpipes. I don't think any has as of yet.</p>
<p>Footnote: I'm using "Asian" in this case for Chinese and to some extent Korean and Japanese. South Asian (Indian/Pakistani::desi) is a slightly different kettle of tandoori and then there's all the Other Asian.</p>
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I've told more than one Chinese student to take up the bagpipes. I don't think any has as of yet.
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<p>i think it's also something cultural, my parents would NEVER let me do that even if i wanted to... still, do what you love and hope that good comes of it. i'm not sure i "get it" but i understand that college is something that happens (to a certain extent), not something you can plan for, as hard as i've tried... anyways... 17 days till ed's come out, good luck to your kids, as i'm gonna try to steer clear of this site till then :)</p>
<p>DD, interesting account! Funny thing is even though my only child is safely enrolled in the college of his choice I would STILL like to sit next to an adept adrep in hope of hearing that clue that would provide an express route to to the holy grail. </p>
<p>It's kind of like weight loss advice: mountains of paper expended but it all comes down to the same simple dicta -- eat less, exercise more, keep at it. Do well academically, be an interesting person, present yourself well.</p>
<p>Jin Ou's lusheng, otherwise known as the bagpipe's Chinese relative, was nestling in the corner. Made up of 16 bamboo pipes, converging in a central, wooden air chamber, it looked remarkably similar to its Scottish cousin. Having a similarly long history as the European bagpipe, excavated lusheng's have been dated to be over 2,000 years old.</p>
<p>As long as you enjoy what you are doing, that is the important thing. My S was told he'd be more competitive if he played the oboe, but he stuck to piano-playing and he got into most of the highly selective colleges to which he applied.</p>
<p>cujoe169 is on to something: so many east Asian parents play it safe, that their kids end up not being safe. The kids are all directed by parents into activities that are "good for getting into college" according to current rumor, and the kids end up looking like clones of one another. That's one reason why "half-Asian" kids like mine fare so astoundingly well in college admissions: the Asian parent (usually) instills a good work ethic, while the non-Asian parent (usually) says one of my favorite lines here on CC: "Dare to be yourself." </p>
<p>On the other hand, I think I would go nuts if my kids started practicing bagpipe around the house, and I say that even though my kids are very musical and even though I like bagpipe music. </p>
<p>but the thing is, i played up my culture... why? because i'm not the same as every other asian kid and i tried to show that in my essays... i come from podunkville nj where there's nary a minority in sight... and that's why i'm different haha... wow i completely lied when i said i'd avoid cc... i just keep coming back</p>
<p>There is an interesting article on the Reed college site by the Dean of Admissions that says many of the things DudeDilegence said. An pair of excerpts:
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Most applicants compete not with the whole applicant pool but within specific categories, where the applicant-to-available-space ratio may be more, or less, favorable than in the pool at large. Categories can exist for athletics, ethnic diversity, international citizenship, institutional legacy and loyalty, musical and artistic needs, component schools or special academic programs, and in some cases, even gender. </p>
<p>At the risk of redundancy, I need to say again that there are no random or arbitrary decisions in selective college admissions. Every decision is discussed, sometimes again, and again, and again.