Not putting race on applications?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm trying to transfer in the spring and I've started filling out applications. Now, I've always found the "race" question to be rather arbitrary and feel it should be illegal to ask. I know it usually says that it won't be used in a discriminatory fashion, but I can't help but feel that reverse discrimination could be used. I'm as white as snow, but I don't want to apply to a school and have them reject me because I won't contribute to their diversity goals. </p>

<p>I'd be far more happy to just leave my race out of it, but I don't want that to hinder my chances either. Does anyone have any words of wisdom regarding what to put/not put for race? Am I overreacting here?</p>

2

<p>uhh.... if you have a very obvious last name, wouldn't they realize it anyway?</p>

3

<p>What is an 'obvious' Caucasian last name?</p>

4

<p>oh, and I don't think schools go "oh, this kid's white, let's throw them to the bottom of the pile." I believe it's more like "there's only one spot left in the entire class of 2304, and both applicant A and B have the exact same stats down to the decimal point, but this black kid could really look good on next year's brochure. let's let them in."</p>

<p>Okay, that was more of a joke, but the point is, not being a minority doesn't hurt you from getting in, but being a minority helps you, but only if they're bringing something equally (excluding atheletes) as good to the table. Does this make sense? </p>

<p>It's sort of like basketball. Being tall will help you get on the team, but if you're short and have more skills than the tall guy, the coach is obviously going to put you on the team. Not telling the coach how tall you are isn't going to make the tall guy any less tall.</p>

5

<p>what about the last name "lee". im taiwanese and my last name is lee, but i honestly am not your typical asian and there are only like very little asian kids in my school (private school) so i rarely hang with them and my activities (lacrosse, film club, etc) are not asian at all.</p>

6

<p>haha im in the same situation as you.
last name lee, little to none, in terms of stereotypical 'asian' activities.</p>

7

<p>interview should tell all</p>

8

<p>"interview should tell all"</p>

<p>-good thing I looked Hispanic then...I didn't put my race down (Indian) when applying to colleges (harvard 2011)</p>

<p>(using friend's account)</p>

9

<p>I know multiple non asians whose last name is lee. For God sakes, Sara LEE!!! Those pies aren't asian!</p>

<p>Colleges would be stupid to look at last names and try to guess races. Plus, that seems sort of illegal?</p>

10

<p>
[quote]
Now, I've always found the "race" question to be rather arbitrary and feel it should be illegal to ask.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Answering the question is totally optional and you can always choose not to answer the question. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Colleges would be stupid to look at last names and try to guess races.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>True</p>

<p>My daughter has cousins with the last name Lee, the last name of the woman who cuts my hair is named Chin and neither are asian.</p>

<p>
[quote]
interview should tell all

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Race is not on the interview sheet, and interviewers are not to speculate based on how some one looks.</p>