The kid is sharp, but the real reason he got in everyone (in comparison to many a sharp white kid), is he is black.
I went to MIT and used my mother’s maiden name as my last name, which is not overtly Jewish as my surname (in face it’s Arabic, although she is Jewish).
My essay was about “growing up in the occupied territories,” which was true. Mind you, I was in Gush Katiff, and I didn’t lie, but I sure led them on.
Didn’t mention my military service, the fact I was married, or that I went to a Yeshiva.
And, yes, I had a 1550 SAT (back when it went to 1600) and a 4.0.
It’s all a game.
Great story! Well done.
It is a game unfortunately isn’t it.