<p>So I'm half-white, half-Chinese. I was born in California, I have never spoken Chinese, my parents and everyone in my family all speak English as a first language. The Chinese side of me I believe is 5th generation. My friends are all white, one of my favorite musicians of all time is Jim Croce, etc. </p>
<p>In short, I don't identify myself at all with being Asian, and I will be putting white on all of my applications. However, my last name is clearly Chinese. Will this hurt me? Will this just be confusing? Will it depend on the Adcom, in all likelihood?</p>
<p>I posted a similar question several weeks ago with no useful responses. Any insight?</p>
<p>it's uh, diverse, right?</p>
<p>This question is always difficult, because in your life, if you're White + Something Else, then you're considered Something Else. But what you're considered is not necessarily what you are. I'd say it's safe and probably the best choice to put White, if there's no way to identify yourself as both.</p>
<p>what about putting biracial? Doesn't that apply?</p>
<p>Plus, multiracial will probably be more "unique" than just plain white.</p>
<p>You should probably check Caucasian and Chinese just to avoid confusion with your last name. Most apps I think ask you to check all that apply anyway. And if you don't relate to the Chinese culture at all, that'll show on your app in the languages section.</p>