- Multi Angular Evaluation Beats Asians
Students who are strong in only one area are considered “angular” or “well-lopsided,” and they often do not achieve great results in the holistic system. Grades, test scores, research, academic competition, and publications only apply to the academic admissions attribute. Without strength in the activities and human scales, smart students do not fare well in the admissions process. Although some applicants do gain admission based solely on their academic performance, most applicants cannot rely merely upon test scores.
So basically, top universities evaluate not only mental ability, but also non-academic ability and human attributes. Harvard grades the applicants in three areas: academics, activities, and “personal qualities.” Whereas, Dartmouth uses an almost identical group of three factors, evaluating intellectual engagement and curiosity, commitment and motivation in activities, and character. And in all these areas, the Asian applicants’ scores remain lower than that of the European or Mediterranean ones.
No matter how perfect a square peg may be, the American holistic admissions system uses round holes in picking students. And hence the hard fate of Asian students.
