Posted on 02/08/2010 9:55:18 AM PST by reaganaut1
SAT SCORES aren’t everything. But they can tell some fascinating stories.
Take 1,623, for instance. That’s the average score of Asian-Americans, a group that Daniel Golden - editor at large of Bloomberg News and author of “The Price of Admission’’ - has labeled “The New Jews.’’ After all, much like Jews a century ago, Asian-Americans tend to earn good grades and high scores. And now they too face serious discrimination in the college admissions process.
Notably, 1,623 - out of a possible 2,400 - not only separates Asians from other minorities (Hispanics and blacks average 1,364 and 1,276 on the SAT, respectively). The score also puts them ahead of Caucasians, who average 1,581. And the consequences of this are stark.
Princeton sociologist Thomas Espenshade, who reviewed data from 10 elite colleges, writes in “No Longer Separate, Not Yet Equal’’ that Asian applicants typically need an extra 140 points to compete with white students. In fact, according to Princeton lecturer Russell Nieli, there may be an “Asian ceiling’’ at Princeton, a number above which the admissions office refuses to venture.
Emily Aronson, a Princeton spokeswoman, insists “the university does not admit students in categories. In the admission process, no particular factor is assigned a fixed weight and there is no formula for weighing the various aspects of the application.’’
A few years ago, however, when I worked as a reader for Yale’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions, it became immediately clear to me that Asians - who constitute 5 percent of the US population - faced an uphill slog. They tended to get excellent scores, take advantage of AP offerings, and shine in extracurricular activities. Frequently, they also had hard-knock stories: families that had immigrated to America under difficult circumstances, parents working as kitchen assistants and store clerks
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
(Slaps brow.) Then it would seem to be a self-correcting problem.
That reminds me of an old joke:
He: "Let's eat at The Four Seasons."
She: "No way. Nobody eats at the Four Seasons anymore. It's way too popular.
That's a very good point. I'm sure the administrations (Harvard and UC) were thinking more about their own ideals for a campus than the ideals of the prospective students. Such correction would take time, if it happened, leaving certain people "uncomfortable" in the meantime.
I don’t think I want to experiment with my baby boy’s education (he is 14). But, I still don’t know which would be more advantageous, checking the “black” or the “other” box. If the school is full up on their “black” quota it is a possible disqualifier... what a quandary.
Not so hard to identify the heritage there.
Assumption, stereotypes and bigotry revealed...all with one short sentence.
Couldn’t tell you. My kids are half Japanese and one plays the drums and the other alto sax.
I’m wondering if you think that race should play any part in college acceptance, if they should have those boxes to check off.
When you talk about your daughter choosing her top ten, do you mean that your daughter has already been accepted, or that she’s choosing where to apply and visit?
Ok - I have two J-A daughters who play violin. I was going to allow all this to swing by and just read to see what everyone had to say. But then someone.... had to go and blast the poor precussionist (of which I was one)who must learn not one instrument but let me see...snare, bass, tim-toms, full set, bells, multiple cymbals, triangle, gong, marachis, wood box, cow bell, jingle bell, .... whew I’ll leave off and swing over to address another topic.
Yes it is a prestige thing I’ve noticed - all of the orchestra kids seem to look down on the band kids for some reason at the girls’ school, though mine know better or at least know better than to do it in front of me. Even the teachers are into it having heard several exchanges putting one or the other down - in front of the kids.
I also think that some of it is mouth shape. There is something to be said about how ones mouth is formed as to which instrument is a better fit - trumpet/coronet vs flute vs wood wind.
The Mrs. is extremely hard on them as they not only need to keep up on their school + any clubs, music, sport; but also stay up on their Japanese. I attempt to temper that with - yes they must keep your grades up, but I still expect them to have at least some time to be a kid.(I’m worried about the coming mutiny so trying to keep my options open for a reprieve from either side).
My girls are doing great in school - but I’m terrified of what it will all mean when it comes time to apply for colleges. I was always taught work hard, learn everything you can and it will lead you to better things. Unfortunately, I’m not sure I believe any of that myself anymore as the PC culture has destroyed my sense of trust and made me a very cynical fellow....and that’s just sad.
Like all parents I worry for mine. I just ask that they are provided the same opportunity as everyone else and be judged on their abilities rather than what they are or who they know.
Oh - and don’t forget to beat the drums slowly. (sorry I’m such a windbag)
First of all - great answer, and it makes a lot of sense.
Secondly, that is one of the best posts I’ve ever seen. And from a percussionist no less
**rim shot**
I don’t feel that race should play a part in college acceptance, but the reality is that it does. I mean the top ten schools to visit of the ones that have contacted her. We would like her to choose a Virginia school. Virginia has some wonderful colleges. But, we are open depending on the programs and scholarships.
Virginia really does have good schools but my daughter is looking more at the north-east. I made her apply to George Mason - she has to apply to at least one Southern school. Christendom is one of the few truly Catholic colleges but alas does not offer much in the way of science.
If race should not be a factor in admissions, would you consider making a stand and urging your children not to check the boxes?
He is not an academic superachiever. In fact, he battled his way past a fairly serious learning disability (Central Auditory Processing Disorder) and this by way of rigorous one-on-one homeschooling. He's now in a public high school, and we regard his "average" grades as a triumph. We worked hard ---he worked hard ---for him not to be labeled "learning disabled"!
So now he's going to be penalized for being Asian?
What should he put on his college application forms? Leave "race" blank? N/A? NOYDB?
No. I need them out of my house a.s.a.p. and if checking “black”, “biracial, or “other” helps me toward this goal, then I will urge them to check away. Fly little birdies.
He is really blessed to have such loving, dedicated parents.
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