Demographics (ethnicity question)

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>I have a question pertaining to the demographics section on the common app. It asks which race you identify yourself with, and I'm not sure which to choose.</p>

<p>As an infant I was adopted from China. My mother is Caucasian American, and never married. So culturally, I identify myself as American, and have little/no ties with my Asian heritage.</p>

<p>When filling out forms, I have always marked "Asian" as my race. I'm a little more unsure of what to mark on the common app. I've been reading over threads on here about race, and some have worried me with the whole "Asians against other Asians" competing for spots in universities.</p>

<p>Though racially I definitely identify as Asian, I do not fit into the stereotype of having strict Asian parents who push ivies, etc. Though my mom wants me to be successful, I'm the one researching colleges, pushing myself to get A's, etc. I'm afraid that when pitted against so many other brilliant Asians with amazing achievements I don't stand a chance.</p>

<p>Back to my original question. I'm not sure whether to check Asian, White, or to leave the section entirely blank. Racially, I identify as Asian. I most identify with White, but I almost feel like it would a little inappropriate to mark that, since it's supposedly a survey as demographics. If I don't select anything, I'm worried that could hurt me also.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any input?</p>

<p>Also, I know one of the prompts is about diversity. Would writing about my "cultural dilemma" be a good idea? Race is such a sensitive topic (to me at least), and I'm not sure if I feel 100% comfortable having that as my main essay for all of the universities I apply to. Plus, that's often a prompt in the supplementary applications, and then I'd have already discussed that in my common app...</p>

<p>Thank you for taking the time to read this, I hope to see some responses (I've never posted on here before!)</p>

2

<p>I’ll take the easiest part of your question-I do not think that this essay topic is your strongest choice. If you are worried about being compared to other Asian students, then you do not want to make this issue the centerpiece of your application.<br>
I’m assuming you are a junior and that you have all summer to reflect on other ideas. Print out the Common App essay prompts once the new ones are released in the spring and see if any other topics tell your story better.</p>

3

<p>I would not mark ethnicity. Or both?</p>

4

<p>You can call some of the colleges you’re applying to to ask what you should do. It’s probably easiest to leave the section blank. I think the Common App has a section asking where you were born and how long you lived there (or maybe how long you’ve lived in your current city?). Based on the information you provide, colleges will put two and two together; it is not exactly uncommon for American students to be adopted from China. They’ll handle it however they handle it.</p>