I am a half-brazilian male (my grandparents immigrated from Brazil) currently applying to Northeastern. Should I answer the question “Are you Hispanic or Latino?” with a “Yes” answer? Would this help or hurt me? I will most likely major in a language related field, such as linguistics, or a political science/international affairs.
I mean, it shouldn’t matter all that much. Colleges look at race on the basis that they want to add diversity to their community.
I personally wouldn’t put my race on an application. It may help in regards to your intended major, but again, I feel skeptical about putting race down.
We had two very qualified applicants at my school who both applied to Brown. One was Valedictorian of the class who was an Asian girl and applied for engineering. Had something like 7 APs, good SATs and everything. Straight up rejected. The other applicant was a white Caucasian male who applied for the SAME PROGRAM and was not as qualified as the other girl. He was waitlisted.
Again, take what I say with a grain of salt, but race doesn’t make that much of a difference in admissions.
I’ve found most Brazilians don’t consider themselves either Latino or Hispanic. Do your grandparents consider themselves so, or are you just looking for the ‘boost’? Do you consider yourself so? As said above, the perceived admissions boost is not a significant as it’s considered to be on CC.
Also - neither Hispanic nor Latino are races. They are ethnicities. Hispanics and Latinos can be of any race.
Also, take a look at this thread: