Ok hear me out, so I am Pakistani on both sides however, my dad was born in Kenya, my grandfather was the minister of Health under Jomo Kenyatta (he was born there as well) and his father immigrated to Kenya. Whilst we are mostly Pakistani based on genetics, could this sort-of unique background allow me to list myself as African-American on the common application? To be honest, I’m close to Pakistan on my mom’s side but my dad’s disconnect from Pakistan and heritage as a Kenyan national makes this so much more confusing lol
So your father might be African-American by citizenship (an African born person who then became American?) but racially isn’t African at all? How would you, racially, become African through him?
I have friends whose kids were born in Japan. Racially, they are white. They might have dual citizenship, but racially they are not Japanese.
@twoinanddone First of all it asks about your background not race. Second, African is not a race, there are South African’s that are white yet identify as black. Being from a family that’s worked so closely with the Kenyan government (I mean my grandfather was literally in Jomo Kenyatta’s cabinet), and lived in Kenya all of his life does give me the right to say I have Kenyan background. But I understand there is a bit of a blurry line there. I would still put my background as Asian but also add African from my father’s side since there is a clear disconnect from Pakistan on that end (in fact, when my great grandfather arrived in Kenya, Pakistan actually didn’t even exist). Also they belong to Kenya’s official 44th tribe.
@gapyearapplicant What is your motivation for asking this question? Is it because you feel that you may have an easier time getting accepted into a university? Or maybe that you will qualify for more aid? How do you relate to Black culture in America?
@4MyKidz Well if it helps, I speak Swahili lol
I mean if it’s that immoral I wouldn’t do it. I was just honestly curious about it considering the very weird lineage on my dad’s side and the rather weird affiliation I have with Kenya
Might be something to stick in the Additional Information section?
The question is basically answered on the honor system.
If you want to be reasonably honest, you may want to ask yourself these two questions:
- Do you self-identify as black African(-American) in other contexts besides checking boxes on college applications and such, or commonly participate in culturally-related activities as a member of such a group?
- Do others commonly identify you are black African(-American) or of mixed ancestry including black African(-American)?
@ucbalumnus The truthful answer is, no to both those questions. So to preserve integrity I will not be listing African-American on my common app
Good choice not to “check” yourself as African-American, OP. There is no “blurry line” as you called it. The line is quite distinct. You’re not black!
If culture is important to you, and you can successfully weave your family history into, say, your essay, this would be a natural way to let the adcom know that your background is rich (rich as in interesting, not moneyed). Of course, the emphasis here is on the word “natural,” and your original question has me raising my eyebrows about whether you can do that, but it sounds like though you may not have a necessarily unique background (many Pakistani students study in the U.S.), some of the finer details (including your ability to speak Swahili–if that wasn’t a joke) are certainly interesting.
Again, be careful. Members of adcoms can definitely be turned off by an essay or other parts of the application that read as little more than name-dropping or not-so-subtle nudges aimed at gaining admission (hey, my father worked for so-and so, or, hey, my dad was born in Kenya and that’s sort of like him being Kenyan).
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Closing thread. This has been asked many times before (you can certainly search to confirm) and the answer has never varied.
Admissions Officers are not going to debate semantics with you or any other applicant; they are well aware that African-American means black and will have no patience with persons trying to argue otherwise. So nothing else to say.