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My letter to Peter Jacobs who wrote the article "Kid who got in to every Ivy League school"
Dear Peter,
It’s interesting to read your article about the kid who got into every ivy league school where you said: “It's easy to see why Nelson got into UA's honors program and every single Ivy League school. As a student at Houston High School in Memphis, Tennessee, he has a 4.58 weighted GPA, has taken 15 AP courses, and achieved a 2260 out of 2400 on his SAT and a 34 out of 36 on his ACT. He's the senior-class president of his high school, a National Merit Scholar and National Achievement Scholar, and a state-recognized alto saxophone player.”
I am sorry to say that it’s easy to see why Nelson got into every ivy but for an entire different reason. The real reason is Nelson is African American. My son who is Asian American born and raised in this country is graduating this year and was rejected by every ivy school. Such a drastic contrast! And look at his stats: 4.75 weighted GPA, 13 APs (mostly 5’s and a few 4’s), SAT 2310, PSAT 233, National Merit Scholar and National AP Scholar with distinction, 4% in his class at a large competitive pubic high school, the captain of school debate club, the treasurer of science team who raised $1500 for the team by selling food and snacks on weekends, an eagle scout and a regular volunteer at many community service events, church and local hospital, won top 10 national level competitions in debate and STEM, won numerous state level competitions in STEM (multiple gold, silver, bronze medals), 8 years of National Piano-Playing Auditions. He is passionate about debate and cares deeply about many social issues.
Furthermore, the most striking fact, based on your article, is that Nelson’s family seems to be middle class like mine. When first came to this country in 1993 with only $2,000 in my pocket and no financial aid and no scholarship, I had to work and study extremely hard at the same time to put myself through school. What justifies the “extra help” from all the ivy schools given Nelson family’s socioeconomic status? And how to explain Nelson got into every ivy while my son with similar qualifications, if not better, got rejected by all?
Please don’t get me wrong. I have equal problems with legacy preferences and athlete recruits. But the naked racism in this country in the 21st century contradicts the basic American values (e.g. equality and fairness) we want to instill into our kids’ minds and souls. What kind of lesson do we want to teach our kids? Merits and hard work matter less than race?
I hope you write about it….
Best Regards,
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