<p>i am both part indian, as well as african american...i am wondering what one would be better to put as far as helping increase my chances of being admitted? on the application it says native american, eskimo, or aleut all in one category...what do u guys think? i am above the average gpa for transfers.</p>
<p>well, you are in the enviable position where you can't go wrong with whichever one you decide to pick.</p>
<p>Put that you're bi-racial, and when there's a line to explain, write half Native American and half African-American.</p>
<p>You're both, you can put down either, and I don't think one will necessarily be worse than the other. Just put down whatever you're comfortable with! :)</p>
<p>Write your race/ethnicity and how you identify yourself. Stop thinking that checking a race box will get you admitted into a school. </p>
<p>If you are biracial then say so.. if you are reaching 10 generations ago and don't identify with those groups ... then check the appropriate box. </p>
<p>You shouldn't have to ask others what box you should check... check the box you've identified with all your life.</p>
<p>I worked in admissions for two years... it does not work like that.</p>
<p>Are you really curious which box to check and what it could mean for you, or are you just acting dumb?</p>
<p>no i am serious</p>
<p>check both, include a mention of it if possible. ignore all the folks who are jealous that you might have an advantage.
If you look at colleges info you'll see a racial breakdown. Here on the east coast there are 0-1% native americans. it is a big hook, I suspect.</p>
<p>what type of leniency can i expect? meaning is a 3.5 of a indian equal to a 3.8 of a cacausion?(you get the point)</p>
<p>Not much. I recently posted some stats showing that Native Americans score at virtually the same level as their peers and are accepted at a similar rate. Dartmouth might be an exception because it has something of a reputation for admitting Native Americans.</p>
<p>Your above average GPA would help, however.</p>
<p>Number 1. guy.. instead of spending so much time wondering which box to check....</p>
<p>Spend some considerable time on your essay... and putting together an overall strong application.</p>
<p>Sorry to tell you...checking a box will not get you into college...compelling students get into college...right now you do not sound too compelling</p>
<p>Please spend the time to put together a strong application, rather than focus on trivial items.</p>
<p>(P.S. and OldinJersey ... I'm not jealous... I AM Black... and personally identify with the Black race. I am also of Caribbean descent with both parents from Trinidad and Tobago)</p>
<p>Also.. take a look at the Michigan cases so that you understand Affirmative action ACTUALLY works. The practices many of you are insinuating are illegal...</p>
<p>no essay where im applying to, because im doing so as a transfer.</p>
<p>What happens if you DON'T mark anything for race if you're not a URM? Some schools mark it as optional.</p>
<p>I know that this seems rather frivolous, but it was on my mind a couple days ago when I was looking at the UC app.</p>
<p>The line used by admissions officers (race doesn't play a big role) is a lie at best. If it doesn't play that big of a role, then why defend its use so strongly?</p>
<p>It's well known among CC users that certain races, namely the "under-represented" ones, get preferential treatment. They don't get auto-admission, but they aren't treated equally; they're treated specially.</p>
<p>OP, since you are both Native American and Black, just check both. This whole "identify" thing is crap (*). If you are, check. If you aren't, then don't.</p>
<p>(*)</p>
<p>Is there only one authentic Black culture? Some users, especially supporters of racial preferences, certainly seem to believe so.</p>
<p>fabrizio, keep in mind that the OP is a transfer applicant. Transfer admissions is very different in terms of what adcoms are looking for. Some of the highly selective universities admit fewer than 10 transfers each year, and some LACs only admit 2-3. Race can be a big tipping factor at the freshman level, but it's not nearly as significant for transfers.</p>