[fullmetal]

Plastic surgery is a booming industry in South Korea.

But the concept of a "less stereotypical" Asian speaks to the cultural goals--many Asian parents want their kids to go to good schools, and university admission becomes the one shining goal of these kids' lives, saying nothing about what the kids want to accomplish in life or what kind of people they want to become.  (I experienced this first hand in no small degree.)

I do think that it's important to find people who are motivated by something in life other than mere university admissions.  One doesn't get very far in life if university admissions are all your K-12 years are aimed at. 

I still think Michael's essays must have been a bit transparent about that.  Without the whole application, we can't tell whether he would have indeed been a fit or competitive within the student body at these top schools.

[fullmetal]

Plastic surgery is a booming industry in South Korea.

But the concept of a "less stereotypical" Asian speaks to the cultural goals--many Asian parents want their kids to go to good schools, and university admission becomes the one shining goal of these kids' lives, saying nothing about what the kids want to accomplish in life or what kind of people they want to become.  (I experienced this first hand in no small degree.)

I do think that it's important to find people who are motivated by something in life other than mere university admissions.  One doesn't get very far in life if university admissions are all your K-12 years are aimed at. 

I still think Michael's essays must have been a bit transparent about that.  Without the whole application, we can't tell whether he would have indeed been a fit or competitive within the student body at these top schools.