<p>So, here is my situation: my ethnicity is Lebanese (Middle Eastern for those of you who don't know) and I am about to start the college app process. I've been advised by my parents to not check the "Middle Eastern" box under "White" for race (and to not check anything), yet I've also been told that I should include my race because colleges want more diversity, and it would give me a small advantage. My parents say that my college application could fall into the wrong hands and not be admitted because of my race. What should I do? </p>
<p>I'm not sure if this helps, but I did check "Eastern Orthodox" for my religion.</p>
<p>In all honesty, I think your family may be speaking from their perspective rather than a familiarity with what goes on in university admissions offices. No one is going to care that you’re Lebanese. No one. </p>
<p>Although it may be hard to convince your parents who come from a country where ethnic and religious divisions are raw and they probably feel the whispers and glances of some anti-Muslim or anti-Arab murmurings in your locale.</p>
<p>If you visit most colleges, you’ll see women in the hijab, inter-racial couples, visibly queer people or LGBT couples – almost anything – a snapshot of many slices of the US melting pot. I wouldn’t worry a thing about it.</p>