First off, no, I’m purely interested in mathematics and the sciences and engineering fields so please refrain from telling me to apply to LACs.
Second, I’m looking to apply to MIT and Northeastern and other schools in Boston and in New York City. I have both an interest in robotics, specifically, as well as the arts and drawing in general. I’m the founder and president of the Kendo club (Japanese swordfighting) and I take care of my brother at home a lot after school, hence my lack of math and just ECs in general. I also do a lot of MOOCs online on subjects and courses I’m interested in.
However, reading the stats, I’ve seen a lot of Asians get rejected by Harvard and other big schools. In fact, I think last time I read Harvard was getting sued for discriminating against Asians, unless that was a long time ago. And I’m reading the student body stats at MIT and see that Asians are the most represented minority, and feel as though MIT will be automatically rejecting Asians if they come off as too ‘Asian’.
I find this extremely stupid and just wished colleges focused less on diversity and more on skill and passion and character, instead of filling quotas.
How to go about this? Sorry if I sound stupid or ignorant. Am I too Asian?
Two different issues. You are not “too Asian” - it’s impossible to be “too” much of who you really are. You are who you are. Period. Neither good nor bad, it just is… you are Asian.
Can it be more difficult for you to gain admission to highly selective schools if you have the same background, interests, and skills as thousands and thousands and thousands of other highly qualified applicants? Yes. You will not be rejected for being any one race. You might not be selected, though, if you are only one of fifteen thousand applications that each play piano or violin, a noncontact sport, participate in the school’s math/robotics/quiz bowl club and volunteer at a retirement home. No matter how awesome you are at those things, they’re so very common that it’s hard to stand out as the best of the bunch. And very selective schools are looking at the best of the bunch in whatever it is you choose to participate.
So no, you can’t be too Asian. But you can find it difficult to compete effectively if you choose to only participate in common activities.
@kareUdon Based on the profile you posted in another thread—ACT: 29 SAT: 1400, low family income and Asian female etc, I think your best chance of getting into MIT is thru Questbridge which MIT participate. Female in engineering should help a lot at MIT too. Harvard is not part of QB but it considers it a strong hook.
There are plenty of schools where you can study those subjects without attending Harvard or MIT. How about RPI, WPI, Case Western, Colorado School of Mines, and many large state universities?
@milee30 I was in a rush in school so I didn’t state all of what I’m involved in.
To further add on, I’m an officer in chess club (manage rankings and scores for everyone), was involved actively in the art club from 9th to 10th grade (couldn’t attend due to time), founded Kendo club (due to love for Japanese culture and to venture out in a less common sport) and HackerSpace (cybersecurity club), and I often help my parents at the salon as well.
I think the only EC that I’d have in common with other common applicants is piano, but that’s it. I’ve only played for 3 years and taken lessons though so I’m not that good (wish I would’ve been able to take lessons younger) but it’s one of my favorite hobbies.
I do sometimes feel unfortunate that I haven’t joined math team or any of the science ECs as much as I excel in them. I’ve just been interested in arts and other quirky things in terms of school, and tend to study math and science at home with the MOOCs as well as reading a lot of books on mathematics and computing. I have this desire to cultivate both my mathematical-logical side as well as my creative and artistic side as I feel it’ll be useful and it’s just what I like.
So I guess this more or less doesn’t make me too common? I hope…? Thanks.
@jzducol I think at this point I’m too late for Questbridge, last time I checked the due date was in March or so. I was going to apply, but didn’t due to my low test scores and fear of my ECs being bad. And also, I read that if you apply and get rejected, you won’t be able to apply to MIT EA, so, not so sure on taking that risk…
There is one thread for race, and it’s not this one. If you are interested in looking at demographic breakdowns of the colleges you are interested in, you will see a lot of useful information.
A lot of people of all races, sizes, and sexes are rejected from Harvard and the like. Your choice of words regarding MIT is contradictory. I don’t know how the Asians there got accepted. What non-Asian things did they do to get in? Try doing those things, if you can figure out what they are. And read the famous MIT blog post called “applying sideways”. That should give you a good insight.
You are making assumptions that just aren’t correct. Read your post again in a few days. Would you want an applicant like you, as you sound in this post? Do the things you have to do and the things you enjoy doing. Be likable. Colleges want to admit people they like. You take care of your brother, and that’s admirable. That’s a good EC.
The problem with being too Asian isn’t really about having the wrong activities or profile. It’s about the very short list of schools that are “acceptable” to Asian families. Run the net price calculator at schools in post 3 as well as campuses in your state university system. Another example of a STEM school off the beaten path (but with good aid) would be Rose-Hulman.
Liberal arts colleges are great for math and science. A few have computer science as well. If you decide not to pursue engineering, that’s another way to get off the beaten path.
Your test scores as reported in post 2 are too low for MIT and Harvard, so you need to cast a wider net anyway.
@intparent WPI and RPI look to be within my range as safeties I suppose. I think I’ll likely apply to WPI as it’s by Boston, where I prefer to be. But the ratings seem to be average or low in terms of education quality.
@Lindagaf I’m sorry I sound horrible and conceited, and other negative words I may be, but I’ve just been reading of lots of Asian applicants getting rejected or booted simply for their ethnicity despite their extremely high stats, so please excuse me for panicking and having some doubts. I do respect and cherish MIT, and I really do want to attend their school. I’m not entirely what I represent myself as on here, there’s multiple aspects of me, and I think all of me encompasses what MIT would want in terms of character and personality and hardworking ethic.
I’ve read “Applying Sideways” over and over numerous times the past few weeks. I have an idea of what MIT is looking for. It’s the stats and results of the people who got in that make me question things. I am by no means bratty as much as I sound like it on here, just really worried in a way… Thanks.
@Jon234 I’ll be studying hard to improve and retake the test, those aren’t gonna be at 29 until college apps are due, I’m still a junior. Now I’m wondering why everyone says reach, but no one here encourages each other to retake the tests and study more and do better on the next tries.
It’s a big jump to get the ACT up to a 35/36 level from a 29. Not impossible, but it will be a big challenge. And even then, MIT is still a reach. I know plenty of kids rejected with perfect scores on ACT/SAT and subject tests, and still didn’t get in. Do not be offended when people here are saying it is a reach school. It is for EVERYONE. And no one is saying not to try, just be realistic about outcomes and not set yourself up for potential disappointment.
MIT is a nice dream, but they reject 95 percent of applicants. You need a balanced list. That means at least half of your college list consists of schools where your SAT/ACT scores are in the middle 50 percent or better, that accept 50% or more of their applicants, and where the net price calculator says you might be able to afford.
Boston is tough hunting ground – the big names are too selective, and the less selective schools don’t tend to have generous financial aid.
Now I’m wondering why everyone says reach, but no one here encourages each other to retake the tests and study more and do better on the next tries.
I’m quite happy to tell you to go for it, shoot for wherever you think you truly want to go. But as the smarter people on here will tell you, find those matches and safeties.
You can certainly try to improve your test scores but since it doesn’t always work, people here are warning you to be realistic with your stats at this point in time.
MIT is a lottery for anybody. Pursue it as a dream goal but be fully prepared with acceptable Plans B, C, and D.
Nobody knows why they were denied admission to a college, regardless of how many posts you may read that someone was denied because they are Asian or accepted because of their great essay. It’s all conjecture. That said, because many colleges do pursue diversity, Asians are at a disadvantage at some schools. However, women are at an advantage in STEM fields. Accentuate the positive.
Your combination of STEM and arts/creativity is your best asset. Do you have or can you create an art portfolio? Do you have arts ECs or special projects? This may help you stand out with qualities colleges desire even though you want to major in STEM.
Expand your search. You are focusing on the most competitive schools in the most competitive area. Don’t believe posters that say you will only get your financial need met at one of the top 20. But do lots of research both of admissions stats and FinAid. Check out College Navigator where it will tell you average net cost for different income groups. Look at LACs that have 3/2 engineering programs (be sure to ask if your FinAid will follow you). There are schools where Asians are not “overepresented.” Find them.
You can apply to Questbridge in the fall if you want. Questbridge itself accepts a very small % so sort of a lottery too.
Questbridge deadline for seniors is in September but it is an extensive application that needs to be worked on for a long time. Definitely apply through Questbridge.