<p>I am Asian, with Asian parents, but I have a Caucasian Ancestor from what my parents say but I have no documents to prove because it was around the Opium War 1830s China. Can I still mark white?</p>
<p>Mark what you want. It is self-identification. You do not have to prove anything. I believe only Indians do by being registered or something. But, the fact you are asking this question illustrates that part of the application process is in need to repair. </p>
<p>or that OP has some misconceptions. Btw, not all Native Americans need to be registered/enrolled. That still depends on the individual colleges- usually those in areas with high N.A. populations, especially state schools.</p>
<p>■■■■■</p>
<p>OP - I remember one applicant who is white and put Native American because of a grandmother who was 1/2 Native American. He mentioned this on CC a while back. </p>
<p>@GA2012MOM Thanks! I never even looked at the post number. </p>
<p>The colleges and universities are obligated by the US Department of Education to ask for this information. However, you as an individual are not obligated to answer the questions at all, and are free to answer them however you please except for the category of Native American in those cases when there is a specific request that you indicate a tribal affiliation.</p>
<p>Look carefully at the list of boxes, there should be one for “none” or “other” or “not stated” or something like that. </p>
<p>This person may not be a ■■■■■. There are Asian students who worry that they won’t get in to Calif publics or other schools. Yes, Calif schools have a high % of Asian students, but that doesn’t mean that qualified Asian students aren’t getting rejected perhaps because of race. The UCs could probably be 100% Asian and still reject qualified Asian students. </p>
<p>My niece, a senior in a Calif high school, put White on her apps even though she’s half Chinese because that was her concern. She has an Italian first and last name so her ethnicity appears to be solely White. (Yes, she does get some raised eyebrows on the first day of school when roll is called. lol )</p>
<p>It used to be that if you put ‘decline to state’ they automatically assumed you were white.</p>
<p>An unknown relative nearly 200 years ago does not make you white. Just don’t answer the question, ir there is no selection that indicates “prefer not to answer”. No good reason to lie on your application.</p>
<p>You can put more than one race as well.</p>
<p>If you don’t wish to disclose, that is your right. It won’t hurt you, even if your name strongly suggests a race/ethnicity. The supposed disadvantage of Asians is greatly exaggerated.</p>
<p>America is nothing if not complicated.</p>