Race/Ethnicity Question

Applying to College
1

<p>I am 50% Arab (Iraqi), 25% Kurdish, and 25% Turkish.</p>

<p>I know that Arab and Turkish are considered white. I don't know whether Kurdish is white or considered "other".</p>

<p>On the PSAT I marked "Other" and on the AP tests last year I marked "white" because the guidance counselor told me to.</p>

<p>Which is correct?</p>

<p>Even though I am technically half-white by CollegeBoard standards, I don't really identify myself as white. </p>

<p>I just feel like being Iraqi, Kurdish (after all their oppression), and Eastern European makes me "unique" in a way and I want to stress this in my application rather than just being lumped in the "white" or "Other" categories.</p>

<p>So if I don't identify myself as white and feel that Other is too general, how do I let colleges know and what do I mark on CollegeBoard tests?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>You’re actually Asian and white. Middle-eastern is Asian.</p>

3

<p>You’re actually Asian and white. Middle-eastern is Asian.</p>

<p>–</p>

<p>[Arab</a> American - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“Arab Americans - Wikipedia”>Arab Americans - Wikipedia)</p>

<p>Middle Eastern is classified as white.</p>

<p>It’s just that I don’t really identify myself as white.</p>

4

<p>I guess you could mark either in that case, but it’s probably smart just to mark “white.”</p>

<p>Or you could just leave it blank.</p>

5

<p>Iraqis are considered caucasian. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/311376-iraqis-considered-urm.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/311376-iraqis-considered-urm.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>Yeah. But would it help me at all? Iraqis aren’t that common here and maybe colleges would think I’m improving their cultural diversity and all that jazz. Or would I be on the same level as all the other Caucasians?</p>

7

<p>Super sad thread.</p>

<p>Minority suck-ups.</p>

8

<p>How’s it sad? I’m genuinely curious as to whether I get any URM/diversity boost of some sort. </p>

<p>Don’t see anything wrong with that.</p>

9

<p>

You won’t get a URM boost. Maybe a diversity boost? I don’t know.
If you really want to elaborate, mention your Kurdish-ness in the additional info section or in your essay.</p>

10

<p>You wouldn’t get a “URM check box” boost. But if you somehow weave an interesting life story into your essays, it may influence an admissions committee reader.</p>

11

<p>"Even though I am technically half-white by CollegeBoard standards, I don’t really identify myself as white. "</p>

<p>Then - that is your answer. If you do not identify as white, then put other.</p>

<p>You do not have to answer the question.</p>