<p>The race info on the common app is "optional", if I am white is it in my best interest not to fill it out?</p>
<p>You might be in a worse position. No Race means ASIAN -:) </p>
<p>I don't think that will make any difference.</p>
<p>lol when I apply, I don't think I'm going to put my race (asian) because it won't do anything but hurt me.</p>
<p>they have to legally give you the option to not say, but if you don't say it will reflect worse than choosing any option-even asian.</p>
<p>Okay, so if I am white I should do it?</p>
<p>I think it is to your advantage to put your race if you are white. Other than URM white are favored over Asians even at Ivies.</p>
<p>Another thing one should be proud of oneself what ever race one might be.</p>
<p>wait wait so are you guys as asians saying you will have a harder time getting in simply because you're asian. What kind of bias && racist thing is that?</p>
<p>That is not racist at all. It's a simple fact. Since so many Asians are extremely smart and manage to make up a large part of the very competitive applicant pool to top universities, wouldn't it seem normal that whites (which usually make up a smaller part of the pool than the Asians) have a slightly easier time getting in (for the sake of promoting diversity)?</p>
<p>It's also to your advantage to appear, you know, honest</p>
<p>good point vladivar...not filling in the race means you are most likely not a URM and come off as manipulative</p>
<p>I do not think that is manipulative at all.. if u do not want ot be JUDGED by ur race do not say it</p>
<p>They'll probably know you're white. FYI. There's no definite advantage to NOT marking your race.</p>
<p>would it really put you at a disadvantage not to put your race ?
im asian and i was considering not to fill it out</p>
<p>What if you are applying to second tier schools that are trying to improve their diversity numbers and are bi-racial (Asian Indian and Jewish)?</p>
<p>If your last name is like "Chang" and you don't put your race, don't you think they could.... figure it out?</p>
<p>^Yeah...Or they'd you know SEE you at an interview.</p>
<p>I don't think Asians outnumber whites in the applicant pool, Sure, Asians are ORMs but they don't surpass the whites. There's not possible way.</p>
<p>^No, they don't. But for a minority group they're overrepresented. Asians are something like 10% of the great population (maybe less) but they probably make up 20-25% of the applicant pool.</p>
<p>yeah colleges discriminate against us because we're better applicants -_-</p>
<p>(don't flame me :-P)</p>
<p>so... what if you're asian AND white? is there any advantage or disadvantage there?</p>