It has long been suggested that Asians face difficult in getting into college due to the competitive nature of college applications and the Asian cultural emphasis on education. While this is undoubtedly true to some extent, there are a variety of factors that make it particularly difficult for Asians to gain admission to colleges. In this article, we shall look at 13 of those reasons in detail, and discern why it may be exceptionally difficult for Asians to get accepted into college.
1. Stereotypes and Racial Bias
Stereotypes of Asian students have persisted for decades, portraying them as uniform information-seeking machine who lack creativity and exist only to pursue high-stakes academia. This false assumption can overshadow a student’s academic credentials, making them seem uniform and less impressive than a white or non-Asian student.
This can lead to Asian students being passed over for admission, simply due to their race alone. On a similar note, there is ample evidence that racial bias plays a role in the admissions process. A FiveThirtyEight analysis of Harvard admissions data revealed that Asian-American students had a lower acceptance rate than any other group, despite having higher SAT and ACT scores than any other group.
This suggests that genes, race and ethnicity may have more influence on admissions than desirable academic achievements. Finally, studies have suggested that implicit bias against Asians and Asian Americans may exist in the hearts of many university admissions counselors.
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) published a study that found that white male applicants were three times as likely to be accepted than Asian American men. Likewise, Asian American women were only half as likely to get accepted than white males. This implicit bias is likely to be having a major impact on some’s access to higher education.
2. Performance-based Admission Requirements
Another barrier that Asians often face when attempting to get into college is the performance-based admission requirements. The pressure to take standardized tests, such as the SAT or the ACT, is considerable, and Asians are more likely than other demographic groups to take them and outperform other students. This can cause difficulty in getting an admissions board to take notice of other elements of their character and academic profile, thus making success more of a challenge than it might be for other applicants.
Furthermore, some universities prioritize applicants based on athletic and other non-academic abilities, meaning those who excel in these areas could be favored above others, regardless of academic merit. This can create an unfriendly admissions climate for those who are academically inclined and less athletically gifted.
Finally, many Ivy League and similar schools also weigh extracurricular activities heavily in their admissions process. Unfortunately, Asians often have less access to the recourses and networks to achieve high-level success in extracurriculars such as sports, debate and student government.
This lack of access may mean that their admissions applications suffer in comparison to their white and non-Asian counterparts.
3. Limited Access to Resources
As mentioned, Asians often have limited access to resources and networks which can help them in the admissions process. This can take many forms, but all serve to create a level of disadvantage which white and non-Asian students may not face.
One of the key resources which Asians lack access to is money and those who help facilitate financial transactions. In the US, college tuition is expensive, and this cost can deter some qualified applicants. Those who are wealthy and can access private tutors, coaches and other services are thus more likely to find success in the admissions process.
Network access is also limited for some Asians who don’t have access to broader organizational and alumni contacts. Having access to important people who can open doors and make introductions can make a huge difference in the admissions process. Without these contacts, Asian students may suffer from a lack of support and a lack of opportunity.
Finally, language access can be a tremendous barrier for some Asian applicants. Those who do not have a proficiency in English may have difficulty participating in essay-writing activities and other required tasks.
Furthermore, the language barrier could lead to a lack of understanding of the admissions process overall, leading to a feeling of exclusion for some Asian applicants.
4. Immigration Status
Immigrants and those with non-citizen status may find it difficult to gain admission to college, due to the restrictions placed upon them by immigration laws. For example, some countries do not allow immigrants to attend universities.
Likewise, visa restrictions may limit a student’s available options when it comes to college in their country of origin. Furthermore, immigration status can create another layer of disadvantage when it comes to securing financial aid, as the majority of scholarships are available only to US citizens. This can be a major limitation for those with immigration status, and make it increasingly difficult to gain access to higher education.
Finally, those with non-citizen status often have limited access to resources which can help them in their college admissions process. It is harder for them to network, build relationships, and access the resources that would help them secure a place at college.
5. Cultural Barriers
The cultural environment of some Asian countries can be a major impediment to gaining admission to college. For example, in some countries, it is considered shameful to choose college over work, and this can impede the college application process for some Asian students.
Furthermore, cultures which emphasize conformity and obedience can make it difficult for individuals to make themselves stand out to admissions boards. Expressing individual opinions and interests may be seen as breaking the mold or bucking the trend, and this can be frowned upon in some cultures. Finally, the pressure placed on some Asian students to score high marks in high-stakes tests such as the SAT can be oppressive and damaging.
This pressure can lead to a fear of failure and an inability to meaningfully express themselves in their applications.
6. Model Minority Stereotypes
The Model Minority Myth serves to create an unrealistic expectation of perfection that some Asian students struggle to live up to. This myth perpetuates the idea that all Asians excel academically and are studious, obedient and uniformly successful.
This leads to a perception that Asian students lack creativity and ambition, and can lead to admissions officers writing off applications that attempt to challenge the Model Minority stereotype.
7. Lack of Representation and Mentorship
The lack of representation of Asian faces in the upper echelons of staff, faculty and administrative staff at some universities may serve to limit the impact an Asian student can have on an admissions board. This invisibility can lead to a perception that Asians are not equal partners in the college admissions process, and that their applications may not be taken as seriously.
Furthermore, some Asian students may not have access to mentorship opportunities and networks which can help them throughout their college application journey. Without access to these resources, one’s ability to gain access to college can be greatly reduced.
8. Lack of Opportunity to Develop Talent
Some Asian students are denied the opportunity to develop their unique talents and interests due to the pressure to focus on high-stakes, academic tests. This can lead to a lack of development in other areas, such as extracurriculars, which can be a major disadvantage when trying to demonstrate a well-rounded profile to admissions boards.
9. Inability to Demonstrate Leadership
As mentioned, a number of Ivy League and other prestigious schools view leadership experience as a major factor when making college admissions decisions. Unfortunately, some Asian students may lack the opportunity to experience leadership in a meaningful and impactful manner, which could deny them the chance to demonstrate their leadership skills on their applications.
10. Standardized Test Obsession
Asians and Asian American students are often stereotyped as being obsessed with achieving a high score on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. This can lead to a single-minded focus on achieving a high score, even at the expense of a holistic education and development of character, for example.
Similarly, this obsession with rote memorization and information-gathering can overshadow a student’s unique interests, talents and character traits which can all help to distinguish them from their peers.
11. High Achievers
The competitive nature of college admissions can be a major issue for Asians, who often strive to over-achieve in their studies in order to stand out. This pressure can lead some to set the bar too high, meaning they may struggle to meet the expectations they have on themselves.
12. Family Influence
Family pressure can be a major factor in deterring Asians from taking the risk of applying to college. Some may feel that they will not be able to pursue their dreams as a result of familial pressure, and may opt to focus on more familiar and predictable paths.
13. Competition
Finally, the competition for admission to college can be a major deterrent for some Asian applicants. With so many talented individuals vying for a place in the same institution, it can be hard for some to stand out in the crowd and make an impression on admissions boards.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a number of factors which make it especially difficult for Asians to gain admission to college. Stereotypes, racial bias, limited resources and cultural barriers can all create significant roadblocks in the admissions process. Additionally, the competition for college places is high, and Asians may be unable to meaningfully stand out from the crowd.
If colleges were to take a more holistic approach to admissions and put more weight on achievements beyond test scores, then Asians may find greater success when applying for college. It is time for universities to recognize the unique challenges that Asian students face, and to mitigate these issues by creating pathways for easier access to higher education.