Final solution for "White African American"- I Have done my research!

Applying to College
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<p>So after reading all the CC threads on AA box checking, I decided I would email Commonapp (where all my apps are)
My first email read something along the lines of...( I shortened this)
Hello I am the son of a fully South African father who immigrated to the states at age 27. The demographics questions says Black <em>OR</em> African American and asked you to identify yourself, not state your race. Can I check the box. I do not wish to "cheat the system," I only want to get the same advantage as fellow AA applicants</p>

<p>They responded..."This question does not disadvantage you in anyway and your response is optional. Please complete this portion of the Application to the best of your ability"</p>

<p>A -Very- broad answer that avoided the question.</p>

<p>So I emailed them again, this time saying something like...."Hello just to clarify my last email about being white but checking AA I KNOW that URMs get advantages at many colleges and I don't want to be kicked out for "lying," so can I still check the box if I am a white AA?</p>

<p>They responded..."You should answer this question to the best of your ability based on your situation. If you wish, you can explain further in the Additional Information section in your application."</p>

<p>OMG AVOIDING THE QUESTION STILL
so I decided to put African American or black, choose other, and put White African American,
and then put White, european, and other: African American</p>

<p>This seems like the only logical thing to do, as it explains my backround and separates me from the Black AA catagory (as to not cause unfair advantages). Even though I find Affirmative Action unfair for college admissions, I do not want to pretend to be something I'm not.</p>

<p>Just to reiterated, I AM A WHITE AFRICAN AMERICAN. I have a white, jewish father from Johannesburg, have visited my family in South Africa, and do not hide my identity.</p>

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<p>It might be wise to change the title of this thread as some might misinterpret it.</p>

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<p>how do i edit the post</p>

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<p>Lmao “Final Solution”…Next Hitler in our presence?</p>

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<p>How do I change the title of the post???</p>

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<p>Hahaha the title is really quite misleading if you take it out of context. Just appeal to one of the moderators to have your title changed.</p>

<p>To be honest, the general gist of your emails makes it sound like you’re desperately trying to gain an advantage in the admissions process. I think you should have worded your emails more subtly, instead of using your blatant “I KNOW YOU WANT URMS!!!” approach.</p>

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<p>Being white will not get you rejected at colleges.Providing falsified,misleading info on the other hand,is a good way to get rejected.Integrity is a big thing at most colleges,and lying that you are black or african american when you are actually white on the basis of a technicality that you made up says nothing about your integrity.This could very well backfire and you will not be there to defend what will appear to be a blatant lie.Just tick white if you are white-the last thing adcoms want are people who are dishonest.Stop wasting energy researching AA and emailing commonapp etc and work on things that will actually make a difference-like essays and interviews.</p>

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<p>^ Agreed. Btw, ignore what I said about subtler wording, I thought you were emailing specific colleges about your concern. That would not have been wise.</p>

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<p>Sounds like a lot of sophistry to me. </p>

<p>Just be straightforward and honest. If you are white, check white. If you are black, check black or African American. Simple.</p>

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<p>Why don’t you simply put down WHITE which you are? You were born here which makes you an American and you are white. Your father came from South Africa. That doesn’t make you African American.</p>

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<p>THis topic has been discussed so many times. You can also leave the boxes blank. These are optional questions, IIRC. People do not use the term AA to refer to South African caucasians of european descent. Plain and simple. It is not appropriate to select that option.</p>

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<p>This was discussed previously (Oct?) for a senior born in SA, now living in the US for a number of years.<br>
The Census definition (just as one example of an official govt determination,) for “Black or African American” is: a person having origins in any of the *Black * racial groups of Africa." I believe the proper term for you is “South African American.” </p>

<p>If you already submitted: if an adcom is thoroughly confused- and feels the need to clarify- and has the time- they would contact your GC for more info. Otherwise, consider South African American.</p>

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<p>interesting thread; I hadn’t seen the previous one…</p>

<p>gives me thought though; there are kids around here whose parents were born in the US but they have Sephardic roots (Cuba) classifying as Hispanic for the purpose of college admissions…(I personally thought it was a scam, but whatever)…</p>

<p>curious, then, what would an Ethiopian born Jewish man be classified as? I guess AA…given this thread…</p>

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<p>10characters</p>

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<p>…I have decided NOT to put AA…
thanks for the input</p>