So I’m technically Asian American (Korean) and my school transcript says that I’m Pacific Hawaiian/Native Hawaiian. Should I ask to change it or should I just keep it and place that information when I apply?
I think you should keep that status, at least its better than Asian, which is ORM. But your last name like Park may give it away.
You should change it because it is not true.
If you don’t change it, you will then be lying when you fill out the common app. Bad idea.
Whether it matters depends on the college.
But it is best to make sure that your answer is honest. Multi racial/ethnic people can choose any or all that they self identify with or are identified by others as in normal life.
How about just decline to state any ethnicity on the common app or other application and just let the transcript slide and see what happens?
The whole idea of using race in college applications is absurd anyway. There is no reason why an applicant need go out of his way to ensure that the entire process meets some undefined sense of “honesty.” Live within the letter of the law: “decline to state” on the application and do nothing with respect to a transcript over which you have no actual control anyway.
I would create my own box called “Human Race” and check that instead. Who knows, some adcom might actually like you for it.
If it isn’t true, you need to have it changed. If it is true, you can leave it.