Sad to say, but it probably also helps to be Kwasi Enin instead of John Smith. Ivys in particular still abide by diversity quotas and I wonder whether the same essay under an Anglo-sounding name would still do the trick (for all 8 schools).

A must-read in a similar vein: https://iambeggingmymothernottoreadthisblog.com/

“and have visited the U.S. before after 2008.”