I'm in trouble... What are my chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Background info: I’m Hispanic and the people from my town in Mexico are Native American descendants. When asked on a PACT what ethnicity I was (even though I had already selected I was Hispanic and Hispanic is usually enough of an answer), I wasn’t sure so I asked my grandpa and he told me I was Native American and made me feel foolish for not knowing. So I believed I was Native American, after he gave me all of our ancestry information. Because the tribe is in Mexico and I live in the US, though, there aren’t any records to necessarily prove so but my grandpa is an elder in our town so I completely believed him.

Fast forward to when I’m filling out the common app. Same questions: Are you Hispanic? Yes. How do you self-identify?

I asked my mom and brought up the conversation I had with my grandpa. She said that she didn’t think I qualified as Native American but her and my grandpa got into an argument about it, brought in more family members, and we were all tied. I thought if we really had to figure out if we were Native American or not, I probably should just leave the question blank, since I didn’t identify with any of the other groups listed. So, I did leave it blank, in order to be as honest as possible.

HOWEVER, my problem is that during the time I was convinced I was Native American, I participated in a fly-in program for an esteemed college. I do not remember if I marked down that I was Native American or not when I applied to the fly-in, but I was fortunate enough to participate in the fly-in and fell in love with the school and submitted my application a few days ago. Then the school sent me a Native Information Form to fill out. Because they sent me this form, and I know that I abstained from answering the “how do you self-identify” question, I probably did tell them I was Native American when filling out the fly-in application.

It really was an honest mistake. I already participated in the fly-in program months ago and I really can see myself at this school (it’s my #1), and I am not someone to use my race as an advantage at all - that is way too risky - but from a college admissions standpoint, that is exactly what I did. for the fly-in I emailed the person in charge of the Native Information Form immediately to clear this up because I really don’t want it to jeopardize my application, but is it too late since I already participated in the fly-in program? Again, because my family history is a little blurry, I may actually be Native American (but it’s a low percentage so I wouldn’t feel great about putting it down anyway) but I just do not want to lie. The person I contacted hasn’t gotten back to me, but it’s only been a day, and I’m just super anxious. Can someone please honestly comment on my situation? Just to say it one more time, I didn’t do this to get brownie points and I’m terribly sorry if this offends anyone, but I’m definitely trying to correct my honest mistake.

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I’m not sure how the common app is worded this year but in the past you could indicate “indigenous people of the Americas” and answer tribal affiliation with a “no”.

So, you check off Hispanic for ethnicity. For race, check off whatever applies - white, native american. In your case, you could check native american. Indicate native or indigenous peoples of Mexico. For tribal affiliation/regisration, leave blank or indicate none.

The common app really doesn’t do the best job of factoring in hispanics of different origins let alone multiracial people.

I wouldn’t worry about it.

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but

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@doschicos But would it matter because I claimed I was Native American when I applied to the school’s fly-in program?

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Was the fly in for only Native Americans or for minorities? From what you are telling me, you are "native american’ in the sense you ancestors are from indigenous groups native to the Americas but you aren’t from a tribe affiliation of recognized Native American groups in the USA. I don’t think that is being dishonest. I think that is within the definition of Native American at least by Common Application standards. I can really opine more without knowing the exact nature of how the fly-in program was targeted.

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@doschicos No, the fly-in was for all seniors from historically underrepresented backgrounds, and I am Hispanic so it’s not like I lied about being a minority, but maybe I got an extra boost because I put down I was Native American as well as Hispanic too. Yes, that’s correct, but how can I explain that to college AOs without seeming like I’m exaggerating my Native American roots to get in. I think that looks bad and can potentially harm my application, so I didn’t include it in the common app at all

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I think you are overthinking it. You’re not exaggerating or lying. To do so would to claim you have an affiliation you don’t. If you word things as I’ve stated previously you are just being accurate and truthful. You didn’t make up these categorizations and terms, you are just using the options you are given to describe yourself. If you come from Mexico, you ethnicity is Hispanic/Latino, so you check that box. Check. Now, they ask you about race. If you come from European bloodlines, you could check white/caucasian. If you come from bloodlines derived from indigenous people to Mexico, that is native american. If it’s both, you check both. That isn’t exaggerating and you’re not the only one who fits into these categories. From the way you describe your family heritage, you are not just “white”. Remember, it is two separate classifications - ethnicity (hispanic) and race.

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It’s really not even an issue. Let’s think about worst case scenario, you get accepted, they learned your race, then rejects you, well that’s nearly impossible since almost all college say they equally treating all race need blind blah blah blah so if they do that, sue them and be an instant millionaire