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> You think Asians are getting into good universities solely on their SAT scores? Universities de-emphasized the SAT decades ago, so your entire point is moot.
by rifung 9y ago
> You think Asians are getting into good universities solely on their SAT scores? Universities de-emphasized the SAT decades ago, so your entire point is moot.
From my experience, both being an Asian and being surrounded by them, Asians are good at getting into universities/jobs/whatever because they very consciously try to play the "game".
It could be SAT scores, algorithm questions, vocabulary, ability to play an instrument, etc.
All of my friends knew or at least thought they knew what universities cared about, and then got extra schooling to prepare exactly those things. Some people even hire people to help them write their essays who I guess are "experts" at writing applications.
- sp527 9y agoThis doesn't just apply to Asians. Almost anyone getting into a top college (who isn't a legacy, under-represented minority, or recruited athlete) is adopting a very intentional strategy to design their application, starting well in advance (usually around mid-to-late middle school). College admissions at top schools is an arms race between stricter admissions criteria and prospective students designing themselves accordingly, nearly irrespective of who they are.
- rifung 9y agoIs that really true? I feel like there are people who are actually just passionate about things early on and have ample opportunity to explore those passions. I believe those kinds of students are able to make it into top schools as well even though they aren't studying for the sake of getting into them.. Or maybe I am naive