How to Stand Out if You’re Asian Applying to the Ivy League

It’s not easy applying as an Asian to the Ivy League. Whether that is an international student or domestic, Asians are unfairly held to a higher standard, even despite admission officers’ common lie that this isn’t the case.

The evidence is both anecdotal and empirical: for example, a study in 2018, during the Harvard admissions lawsuit, revealed that Asian American applicants were consistently rated lower on subjective personality traits compared to other ethnic groups. These traits included likability, courage, kindness, and being “widely respected.” In case you’re not convinced, research conducted by economists at Harvard University found that Asian American applicants to Harvard needed SAT scores about 140 points higher on average than white students to have the same chance of admission.

Understanding the Bleak Landscape for Asians Applying to Ivies

For many Asian American parents, admission to elite universities is seen as a gateway to a lifetime of success. At Ivy Brothers, we understand that attending America’s top colleges can indeed set the stage for impressive career trajectories, as students are more likely to land significant first jobs and form networks with future industry leaders: the coveted investment banking analyst job at Goldman Sachs or software engineering position at Google.

Yet, this ambition often comes with a focus on college rankings and can lead to highly stereotypical applications that do not stand out. This is where Ivy Brothers comes in, helping students portray the quirky, interesting version of themselves that helps them attain admission.

How Asian Parents Set their Kids Up for Rejection to the Ivy League

In our experience, many of our Asian families are encouraging their kids to succeed in a very narrow set of activities: activities like science or math olympiads, violin and piano; even students with perfect grades and stellar scores inevitably end up with applications that look alike — these students then face discrimination. These parents have led their children to compete in the activities that are common among other Asians. In other words, these parents have set their kids up for rejection to the Ivy League.

At Ivy Brothers, we instead encourage our students to excel in areas that are uncommon to other applicants in their demographic. When other students go the usual route, our students are in the wonderfully quirky, fast lane to the Ivy League!

Here are a few ways that we help our students to stand out among their demographic!

Embrace Quirkiness and Individuality

1. Highlight Unique Hobbies and Interests:

• Emphasizing unique interests is crucial. For instance, instead of traditional activities like piano or violin which many Asian American applicants may also pursue, consider showcasing unique hobbies like experimental electronic music composition or competitive robotics that solve a unique need to differentiate your profile.

2. Share Personal Stories:

• In your essays, sharing personal narratives that reflect individual experiences can capture your distinct voice. For example, instead of writing about common themes, you might describe how organizing a community art project illustrated your leadership and creativity, helping you stand out from other applicants.
• In the last admission cycle, a student, [Vanessa], that was accepted to a top school, who planned to write her essay about playing her musical instrument. We vehemently disagreed with this decision; instead, encouraging her to write a unique essay about cutting her little brother’s hair and creating a safe space that supported his, and her, development. Lo and behold, she received an accepted letter from Yale.

Demonstrate Leadership and Initiative

3. Lead in Extracurricular Activities:

• Ivy Brothers emphasizes the importance of standing out by our strategy of “taking a different route.” Assume leadership roles in less conventional areas that can highlight your initiative and creativity. For example, leading a campaign to promote digital literacy among elderly community members can showcase innovative thinking and social responsibility; or, for example, for the budding playwright, instead of working in a myriad of plays and theater productions, consider creating your own play that acts as a social commentary.

4. Start New Initiatives:

• Launching initiatives that address unique needs in your community not only shows leadership but also sets you apart from the stereotypical applicant. For instance, founding a nonprofit that leverages technology to solve issues in your specific neighborhood can make your application more distinctive.

Excel in Extracurricular Activities Other than Math Olympiad

5. Deepen Your Involvement:

• Deep involvement in less typical activities can dramatically enhance your application. For instance, take your interest in film beyond just membership in a club by organizing an international student film festival that highlights global issues, showcasing your organizational skills and global awareness. One of our counselors, Michael from Harvard, attests: “You want to do things on the application that your peers, the ones with a spike or passion in your same area, are not likely to have pursued.”

6. Show Consistency and Growth:

• Documenting a trajectory of growth in unique areas can further differentiate you. If you’ve developed a novel app that addresses a local issue, detail how it has evolved, the impact it has made, and the skills you’ve honed through this process.

Showcase Personality in Recommendations

7. Choose Recommenders Who Know You Well:

• Recommendations should reflect your unique traits and accomplishments. A letter from a mentor in a tech startup where you interned could discuss your innovative problem-solving skills, unlike the typical academic achievements highlighted by many applicants. Alternatively, a recommendation from a teacher who helped you develop your prose or poetry may help you stand out among a sea of Asian applicants interested in STEM.

8. Cultivate Strong Relationships:

• Strong relationships with recommenders can lead to more personalized and impactful letters. Regular discussions about your unique projects and interests can provide them with insights to write compelling narratives that support your application.

How Ivy Brothers Helps Asian Applicants Beat a Rigged Process and Overcome Discrimination

We help our Asian students overcome discrimination in the highly selective college admission processes of the Ivy League.

Ivy Brothers advises that in a landscape where many are led to conform, the key to standing out is to authentically present an application that breaks the mold. By focusing on what makes you uniquely you — your quirks, your unusual interests, and your innovative leadership — you can turn the tide in your favor in the highly competitive Ivy League admissions process.

Ivy Brothers offers counseling to help Asian international students and Asian Americans. If you’re interested in better understanding the landscape of college admissions and how to crack the code as an Asian, sign up for a consultation to get personalized advice and insights.

Has Ivy Brothers Helped International Asian Applicants?

We're skilled at helping both Asian Americans as well as international Asians, as we've helped students from Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, etc. Here is a list of some of the schools whose students we often work with!

1. United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) – Singapore
2. International School Bangkok (ISB) – Thailand
3. Hong Kong International School (HKIS) – Hong Kong
4. The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) – Malaysia
5. International School Manila (ISM) – Philippines
6. Dulwich College Beijing – China
7. Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) – China
8. Shanghai American School (SAS) – China
9. Singapore American School (SAS) – Singapore
10. Seoul Foreign School (SFS) – South Korea
11. Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) – Indonesia
12. Taipei American School (TAS) – Taiwan
13. American School in Japan (ASIJ) – Japan
14. Australian International School (AIS) – Singapore
15. Harrow International School Bangkok – Thailand
16. Brent International School Manila – Philippines
17. The British School in Tokyo – Japan
18. Ruamrudee International School (RIS) – Thailand
19. Beacon Academy – Indonesia
20. Bangkok Patana School – Thailand
21. Canadian International School (CIS) – Singapore
22. Tanglin Trust School – Singapore
23. Chinese International School (CIS) – Hong Kong
24. International Christian School (ICS) – Hong Kong
25. Yokohama International School – Japan
26. Nishimachi International School – Japan
27. St. Mary's International School – Japan
28. United World College ISAK Japan – Japan
29. The Japanese School Singapore (Nihonjin Gakko) – Singapore
30. Singapore Korean International School – Singapore

Ivy Brothers is the top choice for international school students from Asia applying to schools in the US! Book a consultation here.