Lowell High School is the top-ranked public high school in San Francisco – and the seniors are stressed out. As they prepare for the emotionally draining college application process, students are keenly aware of the intense competition for the few open spots in their dream schools. They scrutinize how every element of their application, from their classes to their extracurricular activities to their racial identities, might be read by admission officers.
At this majority Asian American high school, the students know that they’re often seen as robots and AP machines by college admissions officers. So what does it take for each student to stand out in an admissions process that systemically fails to see their individuality? And at what cost? Try Harder! takes us to the alarming reality of the American college application process and the intersection ofclass, race, and educational opportunity as experienced by five diverse high school seniors living through it.
With humor and heart, director Debbie Lum captures the hopes, dreams, and anxieties of the most diverse American generation ever as they navigate a quintessential rite of passage and make it their own. Alongside its wide release from Sundance to public television, the film’s Impact Campaign centers student voices at the heart of the college admissions process by promoting mental health and BIPOC perspectives, and especially raising the visibility of AAPI stories. With partners in counseling and psychology and resources available on PBS Learning Media, Try Harder!’s Impact Campaign sparks deep discussion between students, families, school communities, counselors, tutoring centers and admissions officers.