<p>I was born in a hispanic country but my parents are actually European immigrants and while coming to America they also traveled to South America where I was born. I lived there for about 5 years before actually coming to America, so I can fluently speak Spanish. I also go back to visit at least once every year. </p>
<p>Now my question:
Can I consider myself Hispanic when applying to colleges?</p>
<p>No, it's your race. I would've said something else, but I'm trying not to be cynicial :p</p>
<p>how come Filipino's can say they're Hispanic because of their spanish sounding last name's but someone who actually speaks the language and knows the culture can't?</p>
<p>Filipinos do not say they're Hispanic. They're Asian. I've never heard of any Filipino person saying otherwise.</p>
<p>You're not going to score diversity points for being a URM. But you can always write about your experiences in another culture.</p>
<p>I know they're Asian, but while applying to college, most of them choose Hispanic to get in "easier".</p>
<p>They're asking for your race. Hispanic is not a race.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I know they're Asian, but while applying to college, most of them choose Hispanic to get in "easier".
[/quote]
I really doubt that. Can you find any evidence?
[quote]
Hispanic is not a race.
[/quote]
Neither is "Asian" but for college admissions purposes... it is.</p>
<p>That is what most of the Filipino's in my school do.</p>
<p>Then those kids are dishonest.</p>
<p>Almost everyone is dishonest when applying to colleges.</p>
<p>This may help.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Almost everyone is dishonest when applying to colleges.
[/quote]
Um, no</p>
<p>And Filipinos are Southeast Asian. I don't know any who claim to be hispanic.</p>
<p>As for knowing the culture, you can't really base an ethnicity claim on that. I'm obsessed with Japanese culture and have lived there--doesn't mean I'm even remotely asian.</p>
<p>I wasn't basing my ethnicity on how much I knew the culture. I was only comparing myself to the Filipino's who put Hispanic and have no knowledge of the Spanish culture.</p>
<p>Put it this way: if you need to question it, you shouldn't be doing it.</p>
<p>Obviously Filipinos who put Hispanic (if they exist or not), are being dishonest.</p>
<p>You can either lie, or you don't. You're not Hispanic. You could put it down, but that is what your own morals are, and it would be putting your application, possible acceptance, and even degree in danger. It doesn't matter if other people lie- that's their business. You can only decide what you do.</p>
<p>I didn't lie, and I got into a great school. Seriously- I didn't even exaggerate... but then, I also chose a school with an Honor Code...</p>
<p>CC ate the first version of this message (I think) so this may duplicate some things.</p>
<p>The US census bureau considers Hispanic and Non-Hispanic to be ethnicities. You can be White Hispanic, Black Hispanic, You-name-it Hispanic. You feel Hispanic? Claim it. Its' a cultural thing. Don't sweat the surname, there are tons of O'Learys and Giamattis all over South America. If anyone has doubts about your legitimacy to your claim, show them your birth certificate.</p>
<p>Race is a different thing, and the Census bureau has a bunch of options for that too. The problem is that on a lot of forms the college/workplace/whatever can't be bothered to separate "Race" from "Ethnicity" and makes only one set of check-here boxes.</p>
<p>Full disclosure: Happydad is of pure Spanish bloodlines and was born and grew up in Latin America. His folks were originally from Galicia in Northern Spain. He's even paler than I am with my mixed German/Swedish/English ancestry. Happychild is a Spanish-surnamed pale blonde who speaks fluent Spanish, was born abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, and self-identifies as Latina. Scares the socks off the "Hispanic-looking" kids at her school when she talks to them in Spanish for the first time.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the reply's!
I guess I'll just put "white" for the applications, but then again, happymomof1 is right too.</p>