1/ 🧵 Zohran Mamdani’s SAT gamble. Before he was NYC’s socialist...
Nirmalya Dutta@NonsensicalNemo
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Jul 08, 2025
~1 min read
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1/ 🧵 Zohran Mamdani’s SAT gamble.
Before he was NYC’s socialist Assemblyman and mayoral candidate, his Columbia University application told a different story. Let’s unpack. 👇
Before he was NYC’s socialist Assemblyman and mayoral candidate, his Columbia University application told a different story. Let’s unpack. 👇
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2/ At 17, Mamdani scored 2140/2400 on his SAT.
That’s the 94th-96th percentile nationwide, a great score for most. But not for Columbia.
That’s the 94th-96th percentile nationwide, a great score for most. But not for Columbia.
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3/ Why?
Columbia’s median for Asian admits was 2250-2300. Mamdani, with an Indian mother and Ugandan-Indian father, was in the highest-scoring demographic pool.
Columbia’s median for Asian admits was 2250-2300. Mamdani, with an Indian mother and Ugandan-Indian father, was in the highest-scoring demographic pool.
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4/ On his application, he marked both “Asian” and “Black/African American.”
Why?
Because his SAT was below Asian medians but above Black medians. In the ruthless Ivy admissions casino, identity boxes are strategic chips.
Why?
Because his SAT was below Asian medians but above Black medians. In the ruthless Ivy admissions casino, identity boxes are strategic chips.
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5/ Despite his bet – and despite his father being a Columbia professor – he was rejected.
Why?
Rufo, who obtained his full application, offers two theories.
Why?
Rufo, who obtained his full application, offers two theories.
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6/ Theory 1: Columbia’s brutal cut-off.
Acceptance rate <10%. Even median students are cut. Meritocracy with a machete.
7/ Theory 2: His gambit backfired.
His parents – Prof. Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair – are public figures. His elite Manhattan address erased any underprivileged narrative.
Acceptance rate <10%. Even median students are cut. Meritocracy with a machete.
7/ Theory 2: His gambit backfired.
His parents – Prof. Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair – are public figures. His elite Manhattan address erased any underprivileged narrative.
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8/ Critics see his box-ticking as deceit. Supporters see it as rational strategy in a system designed to disadvantage Asian applicants.
Both can be true.
Both can be true.
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9/ Today, Mamdani runs for NYC Mayor on a Democratic Socialist platform: rent freezes, free public transit, universal childcare.
Indian liberals call him the next Obama. But his style is closer to Trump: outsider populism, direct attacks, identity as weapon.
Indian liberals call him the next Obama. But his style is closer to Trump: outsider populism, direct attacks, identity as weapon.
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10/ Trump called him a “100% Communist Lunatic.” Mamdani wears it as a badge of honour.
Because nothing cements progressive street cred like a Trump insult.
Because nothing cements progressive street cred like a Trump insult.
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11/ Ultimately, his SAT saga isn’t just about him.
It exposes an admissions system that rewards identity gaming while punishing Asian excellence.
No innocents. Only survivors.
It exposes an admissions system that rewards identity gaming while punishing Asian excellence.
No innocents. Only survivors.