<p>I know this is such a stupid question to be asking but I always, always hear about people saying that Somalis aren't black. I've always considered myself as a black person even though I don't "look" black. Basically I've always been checking off the african-american/black box my entire life. But I just wanted to check if I was right for college admissions (little bit paranoid).</p>
<p>Also, is being somali a hook?</p>
<p>You can identify yourself as black.</p>
<p>Whether or not it is a “hook” depends on many things that you can’t evaluate. It may be an interesting topic for an essay. Maybe you are the first generation to grow up in the US, or graduate from HS here, or go to college, any of which could be even bigger “hooks” at the right college/university.</p>
<p>^ I’m first generation! 
I’ve thought of using it in my college essays but I’m not to sure. I also used to live in the middle east before starting High School here in the U.S. if that makes me unique…? not sure.</p>
<p>Your life history makes you unique. It certainly is OK to use it in your essays.</p>
<p>Somalis are of black African descent, so are considered “black.” I don’t know what you think that black people look like, but we come in a wide range of colors, hair textures and facial features.</p>
<p>Somalis, however, aren’t African-American, since that refers to descendants of black slaves in the U.S.</p>
<p>Being Somali isn’t a hook in that no college has to have Somalis in their student body. Hooks are being things like a recruited athlete or a millionaire donor’s kid.</p>