8. Such achievements are reflected in the nation’s best universities, where math, science and
engineering departments have taken on a decidedly Asian character. At the University of
Washington, 20% of all engineering students are of Asian descent; at Berkeley the figure is 40%.
To win these places, Asian-American students make the SAT seem as easy as taking a driving test.
Indeed, 70% of Asian-American 18 year-olds took the SAT in 1985, in contrast to only 28% of
all 18yearolds. The average math score of Asian-American high school seniors that year was 518
(of a possible 800), 43 points higher than the general average.
Where math, science and engineering departments have taken on a decidedly Asian character.
Where there are many Asian students in these
departments, such as math, science and engineering.
9. This inclination for math and science is partly explained by the fact that Asian-American
students who began their educations abroad arrived in the US with a solid grounding in math but
little or no knowledge of English. They are also influenced by the promise of a good job after
college. “Asians feel there will be less discrimination in areas like math and science because they
will be judged more objectively,” says Shirley Hune, an education professor at Hunter College.
And, she notes, the return on the investment in education “is more immediate in something like
engineering than with a liberal arts degree.
This inclination for math and science is partly explained by the fact that Asian-American students
who began their educations abroad arrived in the US with a solid grounding in math but little or no
knowledge of English.
Asian-American students tended to be educated in
the fields of math and science when they came to US
for further study, partly because they are good at
math yet poor in English.
10. The stereotype of Asian Americans as narrow mathematical paragons is unfair, however, and
inaccurate. Many are far from being liberal arts illiterates, according to a study that will be
published by Sociologists Ruben G. Rumbaut and Kenji Ima of San Diego State University. They
found that in overall grade point averages, virtually every Asian-American group outscored the
city’s white high school juniors and seniors. Many Asian-American students excel in the arts, from
photography to music. New York City’s famed Juilliard School has a student body estimated to be
25% Asian and Asian American. Juilliard President Joseph Polisi rejects the view that Asian
students are uniquely talented. “It’s not just being Asian that makes them good musicians,” he
says. “It’s a matter of dedication, family support and discipline.”
The stereotype of Asian Americans as narrow mathematical paragons is unfair, however, and
inaccurate. Many are far from being liberal arts illiterates.
However, the formulaic conception that Asian-
Americans are only good at math is biased and
wrong. Many of them know a lot about liberal arts.
2) Franklin was named “Man of the Year” for his dedication to community activities.
dedication:
the hard work or effort that someone puts into a particular activity because they care about it a lot
11. Successful Asian-American students commonly
credit the influence of parents who are determined that their children take full advantage of