<p>Well, then why use the race box at all? By these institutions using these characterizations, isn’t it implied there’s a disadvantage that certain ethnic/racial groups have endured? I’d rather not answer it at all as Token recommends. In fact, I’m encouraging my daughter not to do so in her current high school questionnaire.<br>
“Race” is so much more than appearance, btw. The only way to prove one’s so-called race is through genetic scrutiny. Recently heard some studies on NPR - a black man was absolutely astounded to find his DNA matched those of “white Europeans” in 98% of the genetic markers! Genetically, he was whiter than white. Yet phenotypically, he looked black! I have a very dear friend who’s black, married to a white man, and has a blonde, blue-eyed white skinned/featured toddler. What would he put down when he’s about to enter college? Dollars to donuts, they plan on saying “black”. Are you going to tell me that it doesn’t make a difference? That schools, businesses, etc. are now being forced to have what they call “diversity” by having a proportionate number of different races represented? That perhaps, just perhaps the black candidate would be chosen over the white one? (Have you heard of the debacle in Philadelphia with the police force promotions? Race interfered.)<br>
So, what happens now with genotype vs. phenotype? Are we going to have to submit our DNA to be admitted to colleges and the work force?
So, who’s being dishonest here? Perhaps those using the system to get ahead? I’d rather we go back to old-fashioned values of merit, hard work, etc. So, my daughter will NOT describe her race as white or anything else. I want her judged on her ability, her brain, her accomplishments, and her heart. NOT what she looks like!!! Kam, that’s NOT being dishonest!</p>
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<p>I am as white as white can be. I would never consider lying about my race, even though doing so would probably help my chances.</p>
<p>That’s a highly unethical way to look at the world. It’s not all about “winning” no matter the cost.</p>
<p>With that logic, why don’t you just list yourself as president of debate club all 4 years, and a national contest winner, etc.</p>
<p>The box is there for a reason. Lying is immoral and if you do get found out you WILL get rescinded.</p>
<p>artist26: I fully support not listing your race. That’s probably what I would do as well — you should be judged on merits. I just don’t support lying and saying you’re a race which you are not (saying “other” counts as that if your race matches one of those listed). For the record, it should be about genotype not phenotype. Affirmative action is meant to account for historical discrimination, which is based on your family history.</p>
<p>There isn’t any “other” box on the forms for high school class of 2010 students applying to college class of 2014. See the first few posts of this long thread for links to the federal regulations.</p>
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Affirmative action only has one approved rationale: the promotion of diversity. In two 5-4 decisions twenty-five years apart, the Supreme Court has affirmed that diversity is a compelling state interest. They have never approved historical discrimination as a valid justification for affirmative action.</p>
<p>Legally, no.</p>
<p>Practically, that’s the “moral” justification for affirmative action at many universities.</p>
<p>Is there a specific list of just what is diversity? I happened to be handicapped with Muscular Dystrophy…you better believe life has been difficult and isolating for me (also coming from a broken family, poor, etc.), yet there did not exist any such box or delineation when I was in high school, attending college, or attending med school to identify myself as such. Nor was there the extent of affirmative action or the push for “diversity” (in the 1980’s) as there is now. Succeeding despite a significant physical handicap…now THAT would and should be included in “diversity”. Actually, when you really boil it down, aren’t we all diverse in some way? We all have our own story, our own mountains to climb…and it just isn’t limited to race or ethnicity. Socioeconomic status, family life and history, country of origin, body type, attractiveness, etc. all come into play. So, I will glean several things from this thread - my daughter will not disclose her race or ethnicity in a “box” as that’s too limiting, and too broad; but possibly will include some explanation in her essay, or in some appropriate manner that we think would explain why she would be an asset to the schools to which she applies. Thank you all again for the conversation and advice!</p>
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<p>The authors are studying the “mismatch” theory. For me personally, I am more interested in the fact that an elite institution would allow that information to be made public. This information is consistent with what I saw in the Michigan case (but Michigan was forced by the court to provide the information). It is also consistent with what I saw in a major study done in the Toronto school board here in Canada many years ago, and seems to be consistent with the experience in Britain as well.</p>
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<p>Eagle, you have a science background? I know you enjoy trading and I see myself more as an “investor”, but whatever the terminology, managing risk is crucial to success. I don’t know about you, but I sure can not allow my emotions to dictate my decisions. This is where I notice a different between arts majors and science (in the broad sense of the word) majors. The science majors seem to be more willing to allow the data to tell their story, while arts majors seem to search for data that support their position.</p>
<p>I will probably get flamed for this. LOL</p>
<p>I don’t quite understand why people are always saying “Asians will have a harder time getting in.” to a college. Colleges may want a diverse student body and sometimes(maybe more often than I think) divide the admission numbers, but the only problem I see within this parameter is increased competition among a high number of Asian applicants? </p>
<p>Is this the actual reasoning behind why “Asians will have a harder time getting in” to a college? Please correct me if I’m wrong. Thanks.</p>
<p>According to some other thread around here it’s because colleges think asians are “textureless math grinds”.</p>
<p>I personally think admitting on the base of race is pretty stupid but there you go.</p>
<p>Having asked a couple teachers and school administrators, I have received different answers as to what race an Egyptian American would be. My counselor basically said “idk”, and teachers have had differing opinions. The common application says that Middle Easterners are classified as White, but is Egypt technically a Middle Eastern state? What would I be?</p>
<p>You could be African American. Egypt is in Africa isn’t it?</p>
<p>mostly, but some people consider it part of the ME too</p>
<p>You’re absolutely right. You can be either Middle Eastern and African American without lying.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/651345-race-college-admissions-faq-discussion-3-a.html?highlight=race[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/651345-race-college-admissions-faq-discussion-3-a.html?highlight=race</a></p>
<p>You definitely wouldn’t be black(unless you looked the part), but perhaps you could sneak in as an “African-American”.</p>
<p>What do you mean sneak in? He IS African American.</p>
<p>Egypt is an arab country. (It’s in the country’s full name) As such, it is Middle Eastern.</p>
<p>You are African, but you are not, most likely Afro-American as defined by the US Census Bureau because you are not descended from a “black racial group”, whatever that is.</p>
<p>Why don’t you just ask your parents what they put on census forms?</p>
<p>ETA:</p>
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<p>Sorry, looks like you’re out of luck.</p>
<p>Follow this logic very carefully… Egypt is in AFRICA. He is AFRICAN. He lives in the the US (AMERICA). He is AFRICAN AMERICAN.</p>
<p>There is absolutely zero debate.</p>
<p>Yeah I’m not from a “black racial group”, whatever that is. I didn’t think of asking about the census forms though.</p>
<p>^^ (Iamsounsure)</p>
<p>No, look up the US census.</p>
<p>There’s a difference between being African-American culturally/nationalistically and being African American/Black (census designation).</p>
<p>Race is basically a burocratic nightmare in the US.</p>