College Applications: An identity thief
"I hope you’ll be Amy’s first close friend to go to Harvard.” Half a year ago, after learning that I am moving to America, my close friend’s mother told me. Amy Tam was one of my first friends in China, and over the course of ten years I saw her transform from a creative, compassionate child to an obedient teenager. She was no longer unique, or valiant.
I have never put much thought to this transformation until I received the aforementioned comment of expectation from her mother. I suddenly realized how it all came together—all the hours she spent on lengthy and tedious piano and ballet practices, all the supplementary math and English classes that seized her weekend times, all the enrichment camps she went to during the summer--she never really had a life of her own.
"I don't like many of the classes I take, but I never argued with [my mom] about it when I was young." Tam said. "Sometimes when I tell her that I don't like a class, she would persuade me with reasons like it's good for me, it's going to be useful in the future, and it'll be a pity for me to come this far and quit. I would just give in and go with what she wants me to do."
The components of Amy's life are decided by her parents, and the decisions are based on three elements. Academic success, well-roundedness, and a decent place in her competitive, top tier Chinese high school. Almost all of us are familiar with those terms, because they all factor in to a “life-determining” series of documents—college applications.
As Asian Americans we often take 10+ APs, have a 2100+ SAT score, and rank in the top 10% of our class. We have a long-standing tradition of excelling in test-taking and academics because of the combination of our work ethic and talent.
“40% of UCLA graduates can't get a job within a six month period [after graduation],” a college admissions consultant said. "Therefore as Asian Americans, to enter a successful life, one of the safest options is to study and get into Ivies."
When it comes to extracurriculars, while Asians struggle to maintain ample time and earn parental consent to pursue their interests, we as Asian Americans have a lot more autonomy, flexibility and diversity in extracurriculars. However, our passions are often compromised for the success of college applications.
Growing up, one phrase often came up in Chinese households I’ve been to—“study more, because it is good for you”. Same applies to Asian American parents. “Do this extracurricular activity, because it is good for you”. Numerous kids are forced into taking piano or violin lessons, playing sports, or doing any other activities that are conventionally perceived as a pathway to successful college applications.
But what does that make us as individuals, when we have almost identical extracurricular experiences? Coming to America did not significantly change our mindset. We are simply repeating the path we took in Asia—navigate the system, circumvent detrimental policies, endeavor to get the best grades and participate in the most "impressive" activities possible.
"The environment of American schools really allows us to pursue our passion," sophomore Jessica Wei said. "Extracurriculars doesn't have to be piano or dance, it can be various things. If all your efforts are for college admissions, even if you get into your dream college, you'll feel lost and hollowed-out afterwards."
Don’t “do it because it is good for you”, do it because you truly love it.
“Do what you love, and you will get somewhere.” Lynn Slosberg, a Johns Hopkins graduate and former professor at Kennesaw State University said.
It would be unrealistic and futile to attempt to eradicate notions of pragmatism in extracurricular choices. Nevertheless, when having to choose between two activities, one being more beneficial to college apps and one being more preferable, reconsider before going directly to the advantageous.
"We shouldn't only aim for the acceptance of elite colleges," Wei said. "After all, college is just a small part of life. What really helps you is to be passionate about your extracurriculars, and to consistently pursue them."
Our adolescence is more than a battle in which loss is unacceptable. It is also a time to enrich our experiences and sculpt ourselves into interesting individuals. We are all born unique, so why sacrifice that precious individuality for acceptance letters from Ivies?
We are born into a culture of docility, but you can aspire to be unconventional.
Genevieve Slosberg
Staff writer
2015/3/28
"I hope you’ll be Amy’s first close friend to go to Harvard.” Half a year ago, after learning that I am moving to America, my close friend’s mother told me. Amy Tam was one of my first friends in China, and over the course of ten years I saw her transform from a creative, compassionate child to an obedient teenager. She was no longer unique, or valiant.
I have never put much thought to this transformation until I received the aforementioned comment of expectation from her mother. I suddenly realized how it all came together—all the hours she spent on lengthy and tedious piano and ballet practices, all the supplementary math and English classes that seized her weekend times, all the enrichment camps she went to during the summer--she never really had a life of her own.
"I don't like many of the classes I take, but I never argued with [my mom] about it when I was young." Tam said. "Sometimes when I tell her that I don't like a class, she would persuade me with reasons like it's good for me, it's going to be useful in the future, and it'll be a pity for me to come this far and quit. I would just give in and go with what she wants me to do."
The components of Amy's life are decided by her parents, and the decisions are based on three elements. Academic success, well-roundedness, and a decent place in her competitive, top tier Chinese high school. Almost all of us are familiar with those terms, because they all factor in to a “life-determining” series of documents—college applications.
As Asian Americans we often take 10+ APs, have a 2100+ SAT score, and rank in the top 10% of our class. We have a long-standing tradition of excelling in test-taking and academics because of the combination of our work ethic and talent.
“40% of UCLA graduates can't get a job within a six month period [after graduation],” a college admissions consultant said. "Therefore as Asian Americans, to enter a successful life, one of the safest options is to study and get into Ivies."
When it comes to extracurriculars, while Asians struggle to maintain ample time and earn parental consent to pursue their interests, we as Asian Americans have a lot more autonomy, flexibility and diversity in extracurriculars. However, our passions are often compromised for the success of college applications.
Growing up, one phrase often came up in Chinese households I’ve been to—“study more, because it is good for you”. Same applies to Asian American parents. “Do this extracurricular activity, because it is good for you”. Numerous kids are forced into taking piano or violin lessons, playing sports, or doing any other activities that are conventionally perceived as a pathway to successful college applications.
But what does that make us as individuals, when we have almost identical extracurricular experiences? Coming to America did not significantly change our mindset. We are simply repeating the path we took in Asia—navigate the system, circumvent detrimental policies, endeavor to get the best grades and participate in the most "impressive" activities possible.
"The environment of American schools really allows us to pursue our passion," sophomore Jessica Wei said. "Extracurriculars doesn't have to be piano or dance, it can be various things. If all your efforts are for college admissions, even if you get into your dream college, you'll feel lost and hollowed-out afterwards."
Don’t “do it because it is good for you”, do it because you truly love it.
“Do what you love, and you will get somewhere.” Lynn Slosberg, a Johns Hopkins graduate and former professor at Kennesaw State University said.
It would be unrealistic and futile to attempt to eradicate notions of pragmatism in extracurricular choices. Nevertheless, when having to choose between two activities, one being more beneficial to college apps and one being more preferable, reconsider before going directly to the advantageous.
"We shouldn't only aim for the acceptance of elite colleges," Wei said. "After all, college is just a small part of life. What really helps you is to be passionate about your extracurriculars, and to consistently pursue them."
Our adolescence is more than a battle in which loss is unacceptable. It is also a time to enrich our experiences and sculpt ourselves into interesting individuals. We are all born unique, so why sacrifice that precious individuality for acceptance letters from Ivies?
We are born into a culture of docility, but you can aspire to be unconventional.
Genevieve Slosberg
Staff writer
2015/3/28