<p>Hi,</p>
<p>My grandfather is Bangladeshi, but my grandmother is Hispanic. My mom (their daughter) married my father, who is Bangladeshi. Can I still mark off "Hispanic" in my application? Is there any documentation process I have to go through for verification to colleges? If so, I am willing to go through this process and any links helping me will be appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>Wise parents, please help!</p>
<p>"For U.S. government statistics, all Americans who trace their ancestry to Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Spain, the Spanish-speaking countries of Central or South America, the Dominican Republic or other Spanish cultures, regardless of race; excludes people from Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad, Belize and Portugal because Spanish is not the first language in those countries."</p>
<p>I would say that since you can trace your ancestry to your grandmother (obviously) you can safely mark hispanic.</p>
<p>from the hispanic scholarship fund "Be of Hispanic heritage: persons descended from Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Central, South American or other Spanish Cultures"</p>
<p>you are obviously of mixed heritage, but so are many, many, many others in america -- so that doesn't discount your hispanic origins</p>
<p>I really think this would only be called into question if you were applying for something where hispanic was a requirement, and you had a great-great grandmother who was hispanic and no other relatives of hispanic origin. I think you are ok with marking hispanic</p>
<p>Thanks, you sir. The problem is that I am Muslim and my name is "Mohammed." Will adcoms become suspicious of my ethnicity? Do I need any proof? I look hispanic btw.</p>
<p>There is a post on a similar topic in Admissions: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=131068%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=131068</a></p>
<p>I think one grandparent of the heritage would be fine. I know white Christian kids with names like Mohammed, so names don't tell you everything. As long as you feel that you are Hispanic, and you do not feel like you are lying to yourself, you should be fine.</p>
<p>I'm a student, by the way.</p>
<p>Thanks corranged. The problem is that my grandmother passed away, and only my mother can claim that my grand mother is hispanic. My mother is Muslim, looks hispanic, and fluently speaks Spanish.</p>
<p>i believe you need documentation to prove you're Native American. Is that the case for Hispanics as well?</p>
<p>I very highly doubt that your ethnicity will be challenged. If it is, it would probably be done subtly, such as a rep from the school asking your GC about your family situation, personal history, background, etc. I don't think they are actually going to call you and ask for a passport.</p>
<p>If you're Hispanic, write it down. There is nothing wrong with doing so, as long as it is true. In the doubtful event that you are challenged, you still have done nothing wrong. You wrote your race as you feel it is. End of story.</p>
<p>you only need documentation to prove that you are native american if you are using that ethnicity to recieve aid or consideration because of that.</p>
<p>If you are applying to a program or scholarship that requires that you be hispanic, I think you are still safe to claim that you are hispanic -- but you really need to check with them. There will be some proof that your grandmother was hispanic (birth certificate, immigration records, census counts, and more) and if you have to come up with proof, I am sure you will be able to.</p>
<p>If you are just talking about marking hispanic on a form -- you do not need any proof, just the personal knowledge that you are indeed decended from hispanic origin.</p>
<p>I do not think adcoms would think anything of your name or religion in connection to your choice of race -- there are so many multi-racial people now.</p>
<p>The other choice would be to check "other" on the race section of admissions forms and then specify that you are of mixed hispanic/bangledeshi heritage. That way you get across that you are of mixed race, including both hispanic and bangledeshi heritage. Personally, that would be my choice, rather than checking "hispanic" and implying that you are fully of hispanic heritage and culture.</p>
<p>I think checking "hispanic" only WILL raise some eyebrows in some admissions offices. Remember, many colleges want to add CULTURAL diversity to their campus, by saying you are full "hispanic" you are implying you will be bringing that cultural diversity to their campus, when it sounds like the diversity you will really be bringing is your mixed heritage. Some admissions committees may see that as trying to "game" the system. Doesn't mean you can't check "hispanic" but just keep in mind that it is risky because it doesn't FULLY explain who you are or what you have to offer in terms of diversity.</p>
<p>Thats great. The thing is I only know my grandmother is hispanic. I doubt I'll DARE to ask my mom about her birth certificate etc. My mom looks 100% hispanic and she speaks Spanish fluently, and I also look hispanic as well.</p>
<p>I am just afraid if they want proof, I will be in alot of mess, because looking for proof of my grandmother's race is a hassle in terms of convincing my mom as well as all the legal stuff.</p>
<p>Should I hire a lawyer to take necessary actions/set documents in advance?</p>
<p>Business, Our posts must have crossed in cyberspace. Please read my post before you decide. You will not have to hire a lawyer or worry if you just tell the truth: you are of mixed heritage.</p>
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The other choice would be to check "other" on the race section of admissions forms and then specify that you are of mixed hispanic/bangledeshi heritage. That way you get across that you are of hispanic heritage, but also are of mixed race. Personally, that would be my choice, rather than checking "hispanic" and implying that you are fully of hispanic heritage and culture.
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<p>That seems like the best idea. I am fully exposed to bangladeshi culture, in fact. If I do this, do you think I will be kept out of the affirmative action advantage in the college admission process?</p>
<p>you have got to answer the question -- "why do you feel you need to prove the hispanic origin" question.</p>
<p>If this is a requirement of a program or scholarship, you can find the proof. Even if your mother doesn't want to share her birth certificate, there are documents of public record. You really shouldn't need an attorney, you will just need to do some research. you could easily go to the local public library and ask for some help in researching your grandmother's geneology. marriage certificates, birth certificates, immigration and naturalization certificates, death certificates and census forms may all indicate nationality of origin.</p>
<p>These documents can be accessed (it may take a little work) and then used as proof with a little effort.</p>
<p>my concern is why you seem so worried about this?</p>
<p>I agree with the "other" idea. That seems like your best bet.</p>
<p>I must also agree with Hsmomstef's question.</p>
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my concern is why you seem so worried about this?
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<p>I am not worried anymore :) Its just that I thoughts adcom would find it ridiculous of the idea of a Muslim Hispanic. I also thought it would be a hassle getting my grandmother's record because it'd be impossible to convince my mother to help :) . Thanks, I think the public records might help :)</p>
<p>good -- I am glad you are not worried anymore!!</p>
<p>Yes -- public records will not be a big deal -- I know that for a boy scout merit badge activity, my 11 year old spent 30 minutes in the public library and accessed the census reports from 1920 showing his great-great grandfather's name, educational level, address, marital status and more. i don't think it would take you long at all to find "proof" if you needed it.</p>
<p>do you have the option to mark down more than one choice? that is what I would do (If i could -- i would have to choose german and english -- all white here). I think that our current large group of multi-racial citizens is great!</p>
<p>If I have the option, I would like to mark both "asian" and "hispanic" as well. I am not sure if they allow that in the Princeton application, through.</p>