<p>I plan on applying to Yale SCEA as a Native American. My question is:</p>
<p>What is required to be considered among the Native American applicant pool? A tribal enrollment number? I heard there is an additional supplement pack. What is included in this?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>This is from last year and might help, do a Search and you may find other threads:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/646505-ethnicity-verification-form.html?highlight=native[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/646505-ethnicity-verification-form.html?highlight=native</a></p>
<p>You must be registered with a tribe. I’m part N.A. too, but if you aren’t registered with a tribe, it doesn’t matter. N.A. is for people who live the life of a Native American, and not for the people who simply can find N.A. heritage.</p>
<p>Wait, I’m confused. You said I must be registered, but then that it doesn’t matter. Must a Native American Yale applicant have an enrollment number to be considered among the Native American applicants or not?</p>
<p>I think wrightm was saying that if you are not “registered” with a tribe showing a strong connection to living life as a Native American, then it doesn’t matter if you have a great grandparent who was a Native American. If you or a parent lived on a Reservation or had close ties to your tribe that may make you desirable as a URM. If you can’t prove that then don’t waste your time. I read on another thread about one applicant checking “Native American” and then realizing she could not support that claim to Yale’s satisfaction and then being concerned if this “misrepresentation” would be held against her.</p>
<p>I still don’t think you’ve answered my question. If I were to apply as a Native American to Yale SCEA knowing that while I do not have a tribal enrollment number, but that I associate closely with my local tribe, would I be considered among the Native American applicant pool?</p>
<p>There are Federal programs made to benefit native Americans and there are established guidelines to prevent fraudulent tribal association to take advantage of these. It sounds as though Yale wants verification of Native American status by such a standard program. What does it mean that you “associate closely with your tribe”. I doubt the adcoms know what that statement means either. I think wrightm stated this well when he/she said it is for people who live the life of a Native American and not just for those that have some N.A. relative. Call your local tribe and ask them how they identify you and how to establish your eligibility for their Federal benefits and assume if you can meet that standard then Yale will value you for your URM status.</p>
<p>If you are not LEGALLY, despite being a “member”, a tribe, no matter what you do, you cannot count yourself as a N.A. However, the vibe I’m getting is that you are very closely associated with the tribe, but are not necessarily legally a N.A. I don’t know the process, but I agree with YaleGradandDad that you should check things out with the local tribal authority.
Sorry if I came off like a jerk. It was meant to be a jab at you or anything like that, and any confusion I may have made was unintentional. :)</p>
<p>Oh, nononono don’t worry about it. I appreciate your guys’ help. Thanks!</p>
<p>it honestly depends on what nation you belong to. for example, i’m part powhatan, and we actually don’t have our own separate reservation (some of us share with other nations), so i didn’t have a tribal enrollment number. however, i was very active in my culture and worked for several native american rights organizations and museums, and so i was granted N.A. status because of my dedication to the betterment of my people. no piece of paper can prove that.</p>
<p>let me clarify something first…
The term should be “enrolled” not registered Indian. Each Tribe or Nation has there own requirement for blood quantum necessary for membership. The way to verify association or connection the Native American community is to use letters of recommendation.</p>