Hi all,
I am 1/8 Native American, and somewhat involved in tribal activities. Everyone in my family (except my mother) has a tribal ID, We read the tribe newspaper, my father votes in tribal elections, and I am part of the tribe’s “star” student program (sends gift cards for good grades/attendance) but do not live nearby enough to participate in other things. However, I identify, despite my involvement, as primarily white, and do not consider myself a minority. I look more Swedish than Native American.
Now, the problem–my parents want me to select ONLY Native American (not white AND NA) on my college applications, because they believe it will boost my admissions and financial aids chances. I have explained to them that this is unethical, but they refuse to listen, and have gone so far as unselecting “white” on my apps.
Is this okay?? (I know it’s not). How do I get my parents to stop doing this??
Is there an option to choose both white and NA? You do sound quite involved in your NA heritage. If you are only allowed one, I would select NA if it still held family or cultural value to you. I’m 2/3 Scottish and would use it for admission to Scottish Universities if I wanted to go there. No question.
I don’t know, I feel like if you have a tribal ID it’s ok to select Native American. But if you want to be totally truthful, you could choose “mixed race” (is that an option?). Will your parents be watching over your shoulder when you fill out your application?
It probably won’t matter. You are NA and can check that box. I don’t think it will give you a big boost, but may get you into some special programs or maybe a specific scholarship.
You seem involved in the culture enough that you can consider yourself NA on apps without feeling bad about it. There’s nothing wrong with this and you’re not lying in your answer. I know people that got their ancestry done looking for a way to state that they were a minority on apps. So many people lie for this question for a leg up, so if you genuinely do have this advantage it would be silly not to use it.
There is no reason that you could not just check NA. Your choices at just NA, just white, or both NA and white. Anyone one those is fine and ethical. Totally up to you.
Actually, you should have done the Dartmouth fly in program for NA. Still apply. Your GPA is a little weak but your SAT is good. They have Russian and IR. Part of their mission is to help NA. @lostinuniland.
^I can’t see why NA and white make ANY difference. NA is a very diluted race. It’s expected that you’re NA ,and something else for most cases. You’re not tricking admissions by just checking one. Putting and white is of no consequence. You do need to highlight your activity or participation somewhere on your app to get the most benefit though. More than what you put here.
Obama didn’t check the white box on the census form even though his mother was white. Elizabeth Warren apparently checked the NA box at Harvard even though she is about as NA as Queen Elizabeth II. College apps are stressful enough without dealing with angry parents. Checking NA as opposed to NA and White won’t hurt your chances, may help, and given the mutability of race and ethnicity seems an ethical choice for you.
For the institutions that really care about NA staus, what will matter is your tribal enrollment. Any other race/ethnicity you check won’t matter to them at all.
For the institutions that don’t particularly care, checking NA alone or along with any other race/ethnicity won’t matter at all.
Check just the NA box. Get the extra points for the institutions where it does matter. Make your parents happy. Once you on your own, feel free to check as many boxes as you like.