‘Set aside time to explore other pursuits’
ones who discover and grow the most in their new environments.
Chen is spot on when she says, “The problem with the all-out sprint to the Ivy League is that it makes so many students look the same.” To me, it is sad that colleges in the USA are looking at academically strong Indian applicants and seeing a homogenous pool.
I know our students have more to offer than this — some revolutionary thinkers, some innovative scientists or brilliant artists are all there among our best applicants. And most importantly, the students I meet who are well adjusted, successful and happy through the admissions process are those who know themselves, can express themselves in writing and don’t necessarily conform to what school, counsellors and society expect of them. These are the most successful products of Indian education, whether they end up in the Ivy League or not.
The author is a study abroad advisor and co-founder of The Red Pen. Email queries to
htspecialprojects@ hindustantimes.com