Asian stem students do not write about cats, you keep perpetuating the same stereotype that Harvard does. They’re a lot more eloquent than you’re making them out to be.
Even with the fine look and comprehensiveness, LoRs, interviews, the Asian applicants score higher.
Once you bring in athletes (and not just Harvard) holistic is pretty much out the window. The corruption in college basketball (including places like Duke), the exploitation, money, in big time college football (head injuries etc.) are just the tip of the iceberg.
If I may quote from a juror in a highly public trial - we thought he was guilty but the evidence wasn’t there to convict him. Same with Harvard, they’re pretty much guilty, is the evidence there though? Not sure on that.