Column: Breaking barriers: The struggles of Latinx and Asian students in the U.S. education system
My American dream
Hailing from Korea, I was always fascinated by stories of the American Dream, where anyone could rise to the greatest through education, hard work, and determination. I was captivated by tales of teachers and their genuine respect for the diverse interests of their students, nurturing individuality and creativity in an unmatched way. These relationships are unlike my experience with the Korean public school system, which heavily focuses on memorization and creating highly competitive environments to make to be accepted into top colleges.
News broadcasts in my country often featured stories of equal opportunity in America, highlighting even homeless individuals who gained acceptance into prestigious institutions like Harvard. I was inspired by the story of a young man who made it to Stanford, not through top academic scores but by developing extraordinary talents in music and entrepreneurship–skills he had built with passion and dedication.
Fueled by these narratives, I arrived in the United States a year ago and began American high school, hoping to pursue higher education at one of the prestigious top universities. However, the reality I encountered was far more complex than the idealized narrative I had believed, revealing hidden walls in a system that, while legally desegregated, was still not truly open to all. Systemic bias and a lack of genuine diversity made it clear that access to the American Dream, especially reaching the greatest colleges, still needed to be more evenly distributed.
Twisting Path: Opening my eyes to Latinx struggles in education
Overwhelmed but undeterred, I grew more determined to overcome these challenges. While searching for answers, I encountered an internship at the University of California, Irvine Ethics Center, specifically Module 13: College Decision-Making Process, taught by PhD student Julybeth Murillo. The module explored the ethical aspects of the U.S. college admissions process and how education signifies mobility and progress.
Delving deeper into this module, I saw the subtle yet pervasive challenges many students face, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. I realized my struggles were part of a broader pattern, one that also profoundly affected Latinx students. While I grappled with understanding a foreign education system, Latinx students faced systemic barriers like underrepresentation, racial discrimination, and a lack of culturally relevant support. The insights I gained clarified my experiences and connected me to the ongoing struggles of the Latinx community, highlighting the shared fight for educational equity in an education system still marked by hidden obstacles.
A memorable encounter with mentor: Julybeth Murillo
During the UCI sessions, the teacher, Julybeth Murillo, a first-generation Latinx college student who attended Emory University and is currently a fourth-year PhD student at UCI, shared her challenges navigating the American education system. She shared her intense passion for helping other Latinx students find their way and her desire to become a professor who could inspire and uplift her community. Her resilience, determination, and commitment to making a difference deeply moved me.
Murillo shed light on a troubling statistic: only 33.4% of Latinx students make it to college, just over half of the national average of 61.4%. This stark disparity highlights the significant barriers Latinx students face in accessing higher education. This underscores the challenges Latinx students encounter in pursuing their dreams. Yet, it also proves the incredible resilience and perseverance needed to overcome systemic obstacles. Meeting Murillo assured me that even in the face of daunting statistics and discouraging advice, some individuals continue to push forward, inspiring others and paving the way for future generations.
Cumulatively, this article will explore the shared struggles of Asian immigrant and Latinx students in the U.S. college admissions process that significantly hinder their educational opportunities, including language barriers that complicate academic performance, pervasive stereotypes and discrimination that undermine their potential, and economic challenges paired with heavy family responsibilities that limit their access to college admission resources.
Language barriers
According to Murillo, language barriers often block Asian and Latinx students from navigating the complex college application process. Coming from non-English speaking households, these students often navigate standardized tests, college counseling, and other resources independently. Not only does this add stress, but it puts them at a disadvantage compared to their native English-speaking peers.
Murillo said that whether or not the parents can understand college materials determines whether the next generation attends college.
'For Latino students…having parents understand the differences between colleges, having them understand financial aid,' Murillo said, adding on 'Those different things can make a difference between attending community college and going straight to a UC or vice versa.'
Hearing her acknowledge this barrier reminded me of my feeling of disorientation, reading stacks of unopened emails from school for my family, all while managing all my school work and exams. As I tried translating unfamiliar words for my parents, each felt like an unsolvable puzzle I had to decode. In contrast, my peers mostly relied on their parents to help navigate college application processes. It felt overwhelming, as I had just moved to the U.S. and was isolated in this unfamiliar nation.
Stereotypes and discrimination
Racial stereotypes of Latinx and Asian students can also affect their college admissions outcomes. Latinx students frequently confront stereotypes that label them as less academically capable, leading to lower expectations from educators and counselors. This can result in fewer Latinx students being encouraged to apply to competitive colleges, thereby limiting their opportunities.
Murillo talked about her discouraging experience with school counselors, who often reinforced the stereotype of low expectations of Latinx students. Initially, she visited her school counselor's office and was excited to ask about QuestBridge, a program that provides first generation students with assistance navigating the college admissions process, as well as full-ride scholarships. But when she asked about it, her counselor sighed and said that most Latinx students at her campus do not even graduate high school. In turn, suggesting that she should focus on completing school first.
'I walked out of her office feeling like my dreams and hard work didn't matter, feeling like my ambitions were unrealistic,' Murillo said.
On the other hand, Asian American students, often perceived through the lens of the 'model minority' stereotype, face higher academic expectations, which can lead to intense pressure and mental health challenges. Despite their academic achievements, they may also face discriminatory admissions practices, such as those highlighted in the Harvard affirmative action case, where it was argued that Asian American applicants were unfairly penalized.
Additionally, there are unwritten rules that Asian students, like me, are naturally inclined toward Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, leading to an assumption that I would excel in math and science. Still, this stereotype forced me to constantly navigate others' expectations while trying to explore my true passions.
Economic barriers and family responsibilities
Economic barriers, family responsibilities, and expectations create additional responsibilities students must juggle. Many Latinx and Asian students take on significant family responsibilities, such as working part-time jobs to support their households or acting as translators for non-English-speaking family members. These responsibilities limit the time and energy they have to dedicate to their studies and college applications.
Murillo recounted her memories during her college application season, where she had strictly limited options as she could not afford tuition in many colleges she wanted to attend. Fortunately, she attended Emory University without worrying about tuition, thanks to QuestBridge. Nonetheless, she still had to earn money to afford other living expenses.
According to Murillo, when working part-time at American Eagle, she was able to get free clothing, such as free jeans, jackets, and more which helped her save. She also once worked 24 hours straight, clocking in at McDonald's and clocking in at American Eagle in Atlanta. Her inability to rest even during summer breaks made her physically exhausted, as she had to keep making money to survive.
Economic barriers additionally stem from racial discrimination that blocks Latinx families from equal opportunities in labor and housing markets. In their book 'Generations of Exclusion: Mexican Americans, Assimilation, and Race,' Edward E. Telles and Vilma Ortiz interviewed a group of Latinx families after 35 years. Moreover, observing the evolution of their socioeconomic status, cultural integration, and education.
'Since at least the 1970s, many scholars have argued that racial discrimination in labor and housing markets, inferior and segregated education, and tracking into manual jobs has primarily blocked the mobility of Mexican Americans,' Telles and Ortiz wrote.
These challenges make it increasingly difficult for Latinx students to pursue higher education without taking on burdensome financial responsibilities.
In my case, I have to balance my academic responsibilities with the role of translator within my family. My parents, who struggle with language barriers, rely heavily on me to navigate the turbulent immigrant life in a foreign country. I often spend evenings helping parents understand official documents, translating conversations with neighbors, and even accompanying them to appointments. Additionally, I take care of my younger brother, ensuring he adapts to school and completes his homework, as I have to see my family succeed in this new country.
A path toward equity and empowerment
As an Asian girl who came to America to attend a top college, I've experienced firsthand the challenges many immigrant students face in exploring the U.S. college admissions process. Julybeth, as a Latinx first-generation, has encountered many of the same struggles that I've faced. We often have to bear family responsibilities–assisting non-English-speaking parents and navigating a complex college admission process independently. Language barriers and these burdens can make approaching the already complex college admissions system even more challenging.
To truly help students like us, educational institutions must provide culturally responsive support for Asian immigrant and Latinx students in the college admissions process, including language assistance, targeted college counseling, and outreach programs that make students and their families fully understand the complexities of higher education so that they can pave their pathway to college and beyond.
Furthermore, both of us frequently face harmful bias. While Asian students may be stereotyped as naturally inclined toward STEM fields, Latinx students are often assumed to have lower academic expectations. Breaking down these misconceptions through advocacy is essential for creating an admissions process that values our individual merits rather than reinforcing ethnic biases.
We can ensure that Asian immigrant and Latinx students have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed by fostering partnerships between schools, communities, and policymakers. Through these collective efforts, we can build a more inclusive educational landscape where all students, regardless of their background, can pursue their dreams and contribute to the richness of our society. Until one day, every student will get an email: Congratulations, you've been accepted to your dream college.
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