<p>Just want to see how many people checked this on the app. Its optional so I don't know if I'm going to do it.</p>
<p>I did, and I am Asian…
Accepted because of Asian. (lol)</p>
<p>^Personally I didn’t, but it doesn’t really matter, since they also ask you about where your parents are born (I believe … they did that on the Common App for sure … I did Michigan’s app waaay earlier tho) … and generally from that they can find out your race/ethnicity, unless your family moved here more than three generations (or two) ago or you were adopted.</p>
<p>I didn’t remember it being optional…?</p>
<p>I said White, though I’m mixxed (figured White was better than mixxed).</p>
<p>if anyone remembers the Supreme Court case regarding U of M and affirmative action, i think that essentially says you don’t have to worry about marking your ethnicity because you won’t be discriminated against. if you’re latino or african american i say go for it, because if you’re qualified enough that means you can get a $10,000 Diversity scholarship, which is nice. otherwise, it doesn’t matter. personally, i did. (i’m asian btw) it didn’t interfere with being admitted.</p>
<p>There is a law in Michigan prohibiting the use of race, gender or ethnicity in college admissions at public colleges. It may still help to indicate your ethnicity on the application if you are a URM though, because some privately funded scholarships such as the Alumni Club scholarships are given the information and do consider minority status. I’m pretty sure it can’t hurt you in any case.</p>
<p>I’ve marked White, but race is a social construction. When I was in Kindergarten and I learned what “black” people were (dark skin and black hair) I thought my dad (half-Asian Indian) was “black” for a while… When I would tell people this they would laugh since I’m clearly mostly “white”.</p>
<p>Later, in 4th grade, a tall black kid called me “shorty” and “tally” sounded stupid and so I called him “blacky”. My teacher was black and that didn’t fly too well (lol) and I could not understand why I got in trouble but he didn’t when 1) he insulted me first and 2) He was black and I was short - what’s the difference?</p>
<p>We are taught racism… :/</p>
<p>ha, i used to think my grandpa (dark-skinned Asian) was black. i told this to my sister.</p>
<p>I did not specify. I am caucasian and figured it didn’t matter anyway. My friend is hispanic and asian and he got a full tuition diversity scholarship when he applied for Fall 2007. So I would definitely put it if there are any scholarships you think you might be a contender for.</p>