<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>I had a quick question. My father was born and raised in Zambia but I was born in the U.S. On the Common Ap, can I select that I am an African American (I feel that thats my heritage, though my skin is white)?</p>
<p>Well, technically you ARE 1/2 African if your dad was born there, but bear in mind that the African American distinction refers to race, not country of origin. Skin color is not the distinction as people of all races vary in this. If you are considered Caucasian, then you are not African American. You are an American whose father was born in Africa. Big difference. </p>
<p>yes it’s a racial category. If you consider yourself black, check the AA category. If not, don’t. I’m assuming your dad is white and grew up in pre and post independence Zambia. On the other hand there are occasionally biracial kids who look pretty white. No school will be happy discovering that you checked that box for an admissions boost. So tell the truth.</p>