<p>Being on CC, I have seen that Asians are at a disadvantage. Although I have a strong app w/ awesome grades, EC's, recs, I am scared that adcoms will think of me as a "math grind." I have dedicated a lot of my time to things besides academics and I am in Varsity Tennis. What can I do to show that I am not just another stereotypical Asian?</p>
<p>I don't get IT!......how in the world are Asains at a disadvantage?...I thought they were looked upon as extremely intellegent....at least the few that I came across are...at prestigious high schools in New York like Brooklyn Tech && Stuyvesant; thats what makes up most of the student body; Asians........like whats really up with this topic?</p>
<p>Asians are at a perceived disadvantage because even though people think they're "extremely intelligent", the group is not very diverse and is also overrepresented. That is, there are many "textureless math grinds" among Asian Americans. For example, being a middle class Asian American male who's good at math and is applying to an engineering program is at a strong disadvantage compared to the Black/Hispanic girl good at the same things and in the same economic class. There's the stereotype of math, piano/violin, Chinese school, wants to be a doctor, so-so at English so if you fit into it, you're pretty non-unique. And top colleges are all about looking for uniqueness, and diversity.</p>
<p>I'd just look at the other Asians in your grade and see how different you are from them.</p>
<p>thats jus sad && pathetic.....I don't get the whole the about diversity being part of it....how can a race be described as diversed?...youcan't describe a raceas diverse you can only describe schools && countries diverse...Fill me in please</p>
<p>I read an article about this once. I'll try and find it.<br>
Edit: found it
<a href="http://www.gladwell.com/2005/2005_10_10_a_admissions.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.gladwell.com/2005/2005_10_10_a_admissions.html</a></p>
<p>Race based disadvantages when applying to college is not a new thing either. Back in the 50's and 60's jews were at a major disadvantage for the same reasons asians are now. It isn't fair at all and I see where everyone is coming from here, but that's the way it is. <em>sigh</em> It isn't going to change overnight. </p>
<p>(I'm not for affirmative action and asian disadvantage at all. I realize the tone of this post might have sounded like I was. I'm sorry if that's how it came across.)</p>
<p>I don't have any inside knowledge on this issue at all, but from what I understand, universities want a well rounded class. If there are a lot of one of anything applying (rich white males with great stats all wanting to be political science majors, poor Hispanics with pretty good stats all wanting to be math majors, or middle class Asian males with high stats all wanting to be math majors) - only some of that group will be accepted. That's just the way it is. </p>
<p>If you are looking to stand out, make sure that your application is focused (your activities are related and show that you have leadership skills, drive and potential.) If your focus is something that tons of other Asian males are also focused on, you may have a problem standing out, but if it's in an area that there is a shortage, you will be at an advantage.)</p>
<p>Count your blessings; at least you aren't a middle class white female with average stats wanting to major in English.</p>