Am I Black, White, or neither?????

Applying to College
1

<p>Before I explain my predicament, please forgive me if I'm posting this question under the wrong topic. I'm new to college confidential so I don't know exactly where this kind of question would fit in. But anyways.....</p>

<p>On the Common Application and on individual school applications I see the following two questions:</p>

<p>Is your ethnicity Hispanic/Latino? (Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin)</p>

<p>Yes<br>
No </p>

<hr>

<p>What is your race? (Select all that apply)</p>

<p>White<br>
Black or African American<br>
Asian<br>
American Indian or Alaska Native </p>

<h2> Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander </h2>

<p>Well, the answer to the first question is yes. My parents are both from the Dominican Republic and I was born there as well.</p>

<p>So what do I put for the second question? I've always thought that I am none of those races until I found that there's no more to choose from? So here are the options I've come up with:</p>

<ol>
<li>Say I'm white.</li>
</ol>

<p>The Problem: I am an underrepresented minority, and I want to use that to my advantage. Will saying I'm white make admissions not see me as a minority? Maybe I should pick this option bc some doctors have me registered as a ''white'' patient. So they consider me white? idk is that even relevant? </p>

<ol>
<li>Say I'm black.</li>
</ol>

<p>The Problem: Although picking this option wouldn't hurt my URM issue, I've never really considered myself black...</p>

<ol>
<li>Leave it unanswered. </li>
</ol>

<p>The Problem: Would leaving this unanswered make them disregarded my Latino status somehow? Or will they automatically assume I didn't answer because I am probably Asian or White and I think it'll worsen my chances of being admitted?</p>

<ol>
<li>idk should I pick both black and white?</li>
</ol>

<p>Okay I'm sorry, I didn't think this post would be so long but thanks for reading it all, if you did. And sorry if anyone finds this post racist or offensive or anything. But I genuinely am not sure how to answer this question. What do you think I should do? :( </p>

2

<p>When you answer “Yes” to the Hispanic/Latino ethnic question, colleges will label you just that -Hispanic/Latino. They won’t care what your race is, so you can do either 1/2/3/4 & still get the same results.</p>

3

<p>Answer it as you see fit.</p>

<p>That said, you are Dominican. Are you brown-skinned? If yes, somewhere up the ladder there was a mix of black and white DNA and there would be no problem checking the black box and the white box. If you do so, you will get follow-up questions asking your black and white heritage. Answer those questions as best you know. Regardless, colleges will likely include you in the Latino bucket.</p>

4

<p>Answering yes to the Hispanic question will get you a boost by itself. If you don’t see yourself as black then I definitely wouldn’t check that even if you check white too. It seems like you know what your race is and you’re just trying to get a boost by claiming to be something you’re not.</p>

5

<p>^ Hispanics can be of any race. What happens when one grows up in Latin America & then moves to the US? An inner identity conflict, since the definition of race is a bit skewed over there. The OP’s not trying to take advantage of anything, he’s just confused -I know because I’ve been there. And he’s entitled to check whatever race his genes include. </p>

<p>@futuresurgeon97 check your inbox :)</p>

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<p>@carterasherbe‌ I’m actually kind of upset that you would think that. I posted this because I feel… Idk… “raceless” (for lack of a better term), and I wanted to hear what other people think. I couldn’t have explained my circumstance better than @Lilliana330‌ did</p>

7

<p>@skieurope‌ Thanks! I am indeed brown-skinned so that answer makes total sense. :slight_smile: </p>

8

<p>I’m not trying to upset anyone, but the op clearly says that she doesn’t consider herself black. Why would she check that box? </p>

9

<p>Just check whatever you consider yourself to be (:</p>

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<p>Because even if I don’t consider myself black, I might have to check it in addition to the white box cuz I’m clearly not just white (if I am white at all). Or maybe someone would tell me that since I’m darker, I should just check black (something that I wondered if I should do). Can you see my confusion? I think you’re not catching that part @carterasherbe‌ </p>

11

<p>I’m black, but I’m lighter than average. That doesn’t mean I should check white too. I don’t identify with white people at all… I don’t know much about Hispanic culture with regards to race but if you think white doesn’t fully capture your heritage then put what you feel does.</p>

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<p>Are you a US citizen or Perm resident? If no to both, then you’re International and URM status does not matter to you.</p>

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<p>I’m a citizen @T26E4‌ </p>