<p>The prevailing belief is that the jews are not a race. Some people find the idea rather offensive.</p>
<p>As do I. There are different ethnic groups that practice Judaism, but Judaism is a religion, not a race. If it was a race, then I would only be 1/2 Jewish, rather than a full member of the Jewish community as making my bar mitzvah has given me the privilege to become. I feel very excluded by your comment salpert, being connected to both my Black family and my Israeli family. Am I somehow less Jewish than you?</p>
<p>sigh....how 'bout it's both. Let's just get along ;)</p>
<p>According to a New Yorker article, Harvard's (and then other elites) admissions interviews were instituted to weed out Jews whose names didn't reveal their ethnicity. Harvard (and other Ivies) wanted a class that reflected its values: tall, athletic, white, Christian, preppy etc. </p>
<p>Although things have changed in that Asians are now experiencing the bias that was once reserved for Jews, I can't imagine that there would be more than a few institutions (taking into account and accepting the validity of the posters example of Vanderbuilt) at which being Jewish would be an advantage.</p>
<p>Yeah... Colleges may think it's weird if you put "Jewish" as your race... I wouldn't do that.</p>
<p>It is a religion and a culture, but it is certainly not a race. The US is full of different cultures, and if they wanted to know that, they would put it on the app. They do not. I think it would not be to your credit to misuse the ethnicity info to try and look like an URM. </p>
<p>If it is so important to you, work it into an essay. But, remember, you do not know the subtle, or overt, prejudices of the people who will read your apps.</p>
<p>American Jews are pretty "over-represented" at most elite universities.</p>
<p>The only way they'd be "correctly represented" is if they made up 3% of the student body.</p>
<p>In my opinion, "over-represented" is both stupid and offensive. But, oh well, some people like proportional Census representation. Go figure.</p>
<p>
[quote]
take a look at what % of america jewish people make up, then look at the percentages they make up at top schools. it's crazy how well-represented they are at top schools
[/quote]
statistically, ethnic jews are the smartest people in the world.</p>
<p>"take a look at what % of america jewish people make up, then look at the percentages they make up at top schools. it's crazy how well-represented they are at top schools"</p>
<p>We're taking over the world, I tell you ;)</p>
<p>Technically if traced back far enough, Jewish lineage can be a race rather than culture/religion. The twelve tribes of Israel developed into races rather than religion, and also there are the Kohanim which I happen to be one of (look it up on wikipedia if you don't understand). Just a little Judaica lesson for you all :)</p>
<p>I still personally wouldn't put Jewish as a race on a college app though, I would consider it pretentious and I wouldn't feel good about myself afterwards.</p>
<p>ORM or neither. Definitely not URM</p>
<p>Calling Jewish people a "race" is what the Nazis did. I don't suggest doing that on your application even if you are Jewish. You can show pride and a connection with your Jewish culture/religion/heritage through your essays and ECs.</p>
<p>Remember, too, there are African Americans and others of nonEuropean or Middle Eastern origin who are Jewish from birth, not by conversion.</p>
<p>A couple of private schools, Vanderbilt and USC, were both trying to increase the number of Jewish students enrolled at their institutions a few years ago. I know for a fact that it was true for USC. I read on these boards about Vanderbilt. I can't say if these colleges are still actively pursuing Jewish students.</p>
<p>Ethnic Jews are not the smartest people in the world. The highest average IQ is among Koreans.</p>
<p>Actually, Ashkenazi Jews, when seperated from the general Caucasian population, have greater IQ than East Asians
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_intelligence_(test_data)%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_intelligence_(test_data)</a></p>
<p>"Remember, too, there are African Americans and others of nonEuropean or Middle Eastern origin who are Jewish from birth, not by conversion."</p>
<p>Thank you for pointing out this important truth Northstarmom.</p>