Asian-Americans Suing Harvard Say Admissions Files Show Discrimination

Re:Asian-Americans Suing Harvard Say Admissions Files Show D... by ardit33 on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @06:20PM (#16759811)

eh, in AI we called it 'overfitting', which means you optimize so much for one dimension/set of problems, that you end up with a one dimensional trait distribution.

Asian-Americans score great in standardized tests, (for both genetic and cultural reasons), but high SAT scores soon becomes a problem of 'overfitting', where SAT scores are a great indicator of success in life, they are still only one dimension of success indicator.

If you create a system where it accepts/rejects candidates only on one dimension (SAT scores), you will soon end up with a flawed system. Also, spending all your time in studying standardized tests, will make you overfitted in one dimension. Real life is not one giant standardized test.

AI 102

As for colleges they should have a transparent admission criteria, as right now it is very subjective and will be obviously been seen as flawed.

Eg.

30% is SAT Scores

30% is your high school gpa

20% is you curriculum and activities

20% is other shit we think is important, etc...

then you will know where you stand

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Asian-Americans Suing Harvard Say Admissions Files Show D... by starpilot on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @06:30PM (#16759883)

You think Asians are getting into good universities solely on their SAT scores? Universities de-emphasized the SAT decades ago, so your entire point is moot.

>"Generally speaking, the SAT is not very important," said Marilyn McGrath, director of undergraduate admissions at No. 1 ranked Harvard College.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/28/admiss...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Asian-Americans Suing Harvard Say Admissions Files Show D... by rifung on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @06:39PM (#16759961)

> You think Asians are getting into good universities solely on their SAT scores? Universities de-emphasized the SAT decades ago, so your entire point is moot.

From my experience, both being an Asian and being surrounded by them, Asians are good at getting into universities/jobs/whatever because they very consciously try to play the "game".

It could be SAT scores, algorithm questions, vocabulary, ability to play an instrument, etc.

All of my friends knew or at least thought they knew what universities cared about, and then got extra schooling to prepare exactly those things. Some people even hire people to help them write their essays who I guess are "experts" at writing applications.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Asian-Americans Suing Harvard Say Admissions Files Show D... by sp527 on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @06:57PM (#16760108)

This doesn't just apply to Asians. Almost anyone getting into a top college (who isn't a legacy, under-represented minority, or recruited athlete) is adopting a very intentional strategy to design their application, starting well in advance (usually around mid-to-late middle school). College admissions at top schools is an arms race between stricter admissions criteria and prospective students designing themselves accordingly, nearly irrespective of who they are.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Asian-Americans Suing Harvard Say Admissions Files Show D... by rifung on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @08:45PM (#16760772)

Is that really true? I feel like there are people who are actually just passionate about things early on and have ample opportunity to explore those passions. I believe those kinds of students are able to make it into top schools as well even though they aren't studying for the sake of getting into them..

Or maybe I am naive

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Asian-Americans Suing Harvard Say Admissions Files Show D... by ardit33 on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @07:27PM (#16760300)

I see your point: "Asians are getting discriminated not just by SAT scores, but even if their extra-curriculum activities were high...."

If that is true, then the suit has merit.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Asian-Americans Suing Harvard Say Admissions Files Show D... by pkaye on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @06:39PM (#16759959)

The kind of asians that apply at top schools already rank highly in SAT, GPA, curriculum and activities.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Asian-Americans Suing Harvard Say Admissions Files Show D... by ardit33 on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @07:27PM (#16760303)

I see your point: "Asians are getting discriminated not just by SAT scores, but even if their extra-curriculum activities were high...." If that is true, then the suit has merit.

[ Parent | on HN ]