Am I an Asian?!

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey Everyone,</p>

<p>I had a question. When i was filling out my common app i ran into a bit of a problem. I did not know which ethnic group I would be considered a part of.
I am Persian, meaning from Iran, which is in Asia. So should I tick the Asian box? And if so, would this mean I would fall under the typical asian boat? Meaning under affirmative action or no? Because I don't want to be under the Oriental Asian category :S. </p>

<p>Please help me out people! </p>

<p>From Common App:
"
If you wish to be identified with a particular ethnic group, please check all that apply:
African American, African, Black
Asian American
Asian, including from Indian Subcontinent
Hispanic, Latino<br>
Mexican American, Chicano
Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander
Puerto Rican
White or Caucasian
Native American or Alaska Native Enrolled date (mm/yyyy), enter 01/1901 if unknown
Other<br>
"</p>

2

<p>Iran is in Asia...you are Asian.</p>

3

<p>Would I fall under the asian category, meaning my chances decrease??</p>

4

<p>yes. </p>

<p>10chrz</p>

5

<p>No. Asian is usually pacific/southeast asian.</p>

<p>As Iranian you're actually persian.</p>

<p>Check other.</p>

6

<p>Thanks ses for the help!</p>

<p>Appreciate all the info :)</p>

7

<p>why would it be other? is Asian suddenly limited to only Orientals and Indians? lol...</p>

8

<p>The middle east is actually asia minor, not part of the larger asian continent.</p>

<p>And racially, middle eastern peoples are fundamentally different from their continental asian counterparts.</p>

<p>However, the current census data options do not reflect the actual cultural differences.</p>

9

<p>"However, the current census data options do not reflect the actual cultural differences."</p>

<p>-so what are Persians/Iranians counted as in the census?</p>

10

<p>Asians/Others, I guess. They don't have a box to check. Part of that is that the Iranian population in the US has only really exploded in the last 10/20 years.</p>

11

<p>so they are counted as Asians in the census but not on college applications?</p>

12

<p>Other will probably make the most sense for you.</p>

13

<p>Would putting 'Other' affect my chances, say, going to Stanford ?</p>

14

<p>Nope. If you want you could even mention the importance of your Iranian culture (if it is important to you) somewhere on your app.</p>

<p>Other is a viable option for multiracial kids, kids who hail from small island nations (like Fiji), or North African descendants (egyptians, moroccans) who would not be considered 'black'.</p>

15

<p>Wouldn't Iran be Middle Eastern? I know at least on the BC app they counted Middle Eastern in the same category as Caucasian. </p>

<p>Your safest bet is might just be putting "other" and then explaining that you are Iranian.</p>

16

<p>Dude, there's a dropdown on common app where you can choose your nationality under your ethnicity. (I checked off Asian American, but I scrolled down in the dropdown box to select Filipino). Honestly, I don't buy into Asians being at a disadvantage in college applications, I see them more as being regarded on the same level as middle-upper class caucasians.</p>

<p>It also depends on the school you're applying to. For instance, even though Notre Dame is a top notch school, asians are given URM status.</p>

17

<p>I wouldn't put anything. I thought the race was optional..</p>

18

<p>Persians and Middle Easterns are considered white, aren't they?</p>

19

<p>or you could just put asian, cuz you're asian. </p>

<p>your chances dont decrease as a result of being asian, unless your a math grind, then check other.</p>

20

<p>Persians are Caucasian.</p>

<p>Arabs are not.</p>