Question about stating Ethnicity/Minority Status

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
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<p>Hey, </p>

<p>I hope you don't mind but I also posted this on the Yale board.</p>

<p>I'm a junior. I am wondering whether to state "Hispanic" as my ethnicity on my applications next year when I apply to colleges. </p>

<p>This my situation: my last name (Espinosa) is Spanish and my father's family can trace the lineage back to a Basque town. I'm from a line of Ricardo Ortego Espinozas which Americanized into Richard Daniel Espinosas (I'm the third!) We have a coat of arms and other memorabilia in our family room, and my grandfather, before he died a years ago, was very, very Spanish (like, in touch with his culture, hah) and would try to teach me words but I was little but I'd get bored and walk away since he smelled like wet newspapers. (He actually taught at the University of Pennsylvania...) </p>

<p>But, the thing is, I don't feel any strong ties to my ethnicity, hell, I take French in school. Furthermore, my mother is about a quarter Irish and three-quarters Italian, not Hispanic at all. </p>

<p>Would it be innapropriate for me to check the "Hispanic" box on my application? To be frank, it is just that I think whatever would give me an "edge" I should use because we all know its so arbitrary and difficult to be accepted. I don't want to be exploiting my last name or misleading the admissions staff. I feel sort of uneasy about the whole situation. Are these schools really concerned with my ties to my ethnicity or whether or not they can claim me as a Underrepresented Minority?</p>

<p>I'd really appreciate your advice on the matter, thank you!!! :)</p>

<p>p.s., I'm from South Jersey, and I should be going up to Princeton this week to see a speaker sponsored by the local Amnesty International group. I've been there before for the same reason (I'm the founder/president of my school's chapter) and it's a lovely campus.</p>

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<p>I would put it down - every other applicant will be using all the advantages available to them, so you should, too. Although I doubt it will make that much of a difference in your app unless you write one of your essays about Hispanic culture has affected your life, which it seems not to have very much from the description you provided...</p>

<p>But still, I'd put it down. Good luck with your apps next year! (And sooo jealous that you're getting to go to P-ton this week - the campus is divine.)</p>

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<p>Richard:</p>

<p>You might not be discriminated now, but later on your name "espinoza", which is distinctively spanish-sounding, will be a barrier to some positions....(except for gardenning...)</p>

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<p>Hah, babouche, you're terrible... ;)</p>

<p>So, let's consider it preemptive affirmative action?</p>