Guest Author
By Alisha Mistry
Nestled between the fall and spring lies a special season: not just winter, but college admissions season. A whirlwind of emotions take place — after all, higher education is a goal in the minds of millions of high schoolers across America. But what does this mean for the several thousand Indian Americans applying to college? Beyond the statistics and stereotypes lies a deeper, untold story: one of cultural expectations, systemic challenges, and the relentless pursuit of the American Dream.
Many students feel a strong sense of responsibility to honor the sacrifices their parents made to provide them with better opportunities. For some, this translates into the belief that attending an “average” college would be an insult to that hard work.
The pressure to attend an elite institution can sometimes make college admissions feel like the be-all and end-all. As a high school student myself, I see this firsthand. Many of my peers are compared to their own friends by their parents, a heartbreaking thing to witness when a parent is so focused on determining where their child stands in relation to others.
It is a stressful time for everyone, but especially for first-generation Indian Americans. Not only are the students going through the process for the first time, but so are their parents. It’s easy to get caught up in discussions about what everyone else has been up to, whether that is prestigious internships, research with college professors, or hours upon hours of volunteer work.
It’s human nature to compare ourselves to other people, especially those who are similar to us. Although Indian families are often a source of deep support, they can also unintentionally contribute to academic pressure. As a community, we need to understand that everyone has their own circumstances and academic limits.
It’s also important for students to recognize that someone else’s dream is not their own, as expressed by the Hindu term “Svadharma.”
It’s easy to lose sight of our aspirations when we see others excelling in a path that doesn’t align with what we truly want. But we can’t chase someone else’s dream, because we only live once.
College admissions policies have changed significantly in recent years due to several factors, including affirmative action, long-term impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In the Supreme Court case Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina, the Supreme Court declared that race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and UNC were unconstitutional, effectively ending affirmative action in higher education.
Access to Tutors, SAT Prep, and Competitive Schools
What does this mean for Indian American students? Some students feel that, prior to the ruling, they were at a disadvantage due to overrepresentation in top schools. Others recognize that privilege plays a role in college admissions decisions, as many Indian American students come from highly educated families with access to tutors, SAT prep, and competitive schools — advantages that not all minority groups have.
At the same time, legacy admissions, donor influence, and athletic recruitment still favor wealthier applicants. This raises the question: is the real issue affirmative action, or the systemic advantages that elite schools continue to protect? Instead of focusing on things outside of our control, such as the unknown desires of admissions officers, we should concentrate on building unique applications that highlight our personal strengths rather than getting caught up in debates over fairness.
We must understand that so many people around us are fixated on getting into elite colleges, but often for wrong reasons. They seek external affirmation that attending an elite college justifies all the hard work and sacrifices made in high school, but it doesn’t matter once they’re in, right? Understand that when you’re constantly looking for outside validation, you’ll never truly win, and the game will never end.
Getting into one of these elite colleges and being unhappy with yourself is actually the best-case scenario, because imagine not getting into any of the colleges you wanted to attend, despite working so hard in high school.
Now you’re stuck at an “average” state school with an inferiority complex and resentment toward the world around you.
The reality is that there’s nothing wrong with attending a school that may not have the same recognition as an Ivy League, especially considering that college admissions get more competitive every year and acceptance rates continue to decline.
Why, as an educated, prosperous, and resilient community, are we still bound by traditional ideals and pressures that no longer align with the realities of today’s society?
Alisha Mistry is a high school student from Charlotte with a passion for writing that inspires meaningful conversations. She plans on pursuing a career in the fields of business and law. Email: [email protected]
