Self-Reported Demographics

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>Okay, so first off, I'm sorry if this is a dumb question.</p>

<p>On the demographics portion of the Common Application, it asks you to list your self-identified ethnicity. I marked Caucasian-European, but since I know my heritage, I also know that I'm 1/64 Native American-Sioux.</p>

<p>I'm classified as Native American and Caucasian at work, but I don't usually classify myself as Native American. I saved it as Caucasian and Native American, but I am not enrolled in the tribe so I didn't check that box.</p>

<p>Is it ethical for me to classify myself as Native American?</p>

2

<p>It is ethical, but I think there is a certain base requirement of percentage that you have to be in order to consider that. Though you can look back at approx 6 generations, i don’t think it is fair to those who are let’s say 50% or 100% native american. I would defintely consult your counselor about that matter too. Also, if you don’t usually classify yourself at Native American on like the SAT/ACT, then they might raise an eyebrow wondering why you would be doing that now and wonder if you are telling the truth at all. just my 2 cents.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for responding. Describing myself as Native American on the Common App. doesn’t affect my admission does it, since I’m also describing myself as Caucasian?</p>

<p>For example, it doesn’t give me URM status? Because that is when I might consider it more unethical…</p>

4

<p>At least you’re decent enough to consider the ethical implications of doing it (many people aren’t), but unless you have significant amounts of blood or at least a moderate cultural connection, it’s illegitimate and opportunist as far as I’m concerned, not to mention disrespectful.</p>

5

<p>on the contrary, it would probably give u a huge advantage…;)</p>

6

<p>Yes, describing yourself as Native American will give you a large leg up. But as FreeFocus said, since you are only 1/64th and don’t belong to a tribe, unless there is a strong cultural connection in your family I feel it’s wrong and exploitative. I also have an ancestor a few generations back who was Native American, but as I feel no connection to Native American culture and don’t belong to a tribe (and really have only a trace of Native American blood) I wouldn’t list myself as Native American.</p>

7

<p>^ I just find it a tad amusing that your username is Wigwam haha</p>

<p>You don’t have to report your demographic either. Hey - if you are Native American you are Native American. If you feel as if you are compromising your ethics / morals is saying so, don’t do it. But on the other hand, if you truly believe that you are part Native American than put it down.</p>

8

<p>Thanks everybody for the advice! I’ve thought about it, and I think I am going to classify myself as Caucasian-European AND Native American-Sioux. </p>

<p>I’m not claiming that I have cultural ties, or am an enrolled tribal member, I’m simply stating my heritage.</p>

9

<p>Somebody asked this at a college visit. You’re supposed to be a member of a tribe AND at least 25% Native American. it’s extremely common to be something like 1/64th Native American, and it doesn’t make YOU a native american, it simply means that one of your relatives probably raped a native american at some point. education and living conditions on many reservations are really bad, so i find it disgusting that you would lie about this.</p>

10

<p>I find it disgusting that you’re claiming “one of your relatives probably raped a native american.” </p>

<p>False. I’m lying about absolutely nothing, and it’s nothing I’m ashamed of. Common or not, 1/64th gives me Sioux blood. </p>

<p>You have to be a member of a tribe and 25% for SCHOLARSHIPS. Get your facts straight, and stop attacking me. </p>

<p>I’m not trying to wrongfully claim money designated for Native American diversity.</p>

11

<p>you’re not native american. virtually all white families that have been in america for a few generations claim some distant indian relative.</p>

12

<p>“Virtually all.” </p>

<p>I would love to see that statistic or study.</p>

13

<p>alright, now you’re ■■■■■■■■. you’re about as NA as you are black. luckily i’m in a position of not having to give any time to people like you.</p>

14

<p>Sorry, but I’m truthfully describing the only two components of my heritage. Caucasian-European, and Native American-Sioux. I’m not claiming I’m enrolled, nor am I applying for scholarship money.</p>

<p>But thanks for your disparaging comments and claims without support :). Hopefully next time you won’t be so quick to attack someone with a question.</p>

15

<p>nah, i read somewhere (i think on my ACT paper) that you only check a race if your at least 1/4 of that race. plus if you say ur native american, lots of times, they want proof, tribal codes they want you to probably show you dont pay taxes and stuff a whole bunch of things probably.
plus its not 1/4. dont do it.
sorryy >< i wish it could have worked for you though. you could have gotten scholarships out of the ying yang lol</p>

16

<p>^Yeah, my NA cousins said something about that (about having to be at least 1/4 to mark NA down on applications…). Look, mose2014, at this point you and I can’t even qualify for tribe membership, so I think it’s downright dishonest to put yourself down as Native American. There are MANY people with at least as much NA heritage as you have, trust me.</p>

<p>And my username is unrelated to my (slight) NA heritage.</p>

17

<p>Not like he’s gonna get URM status so who cares?..</p>

18

<p>1/64 means 6 generations past, from most likely over 100+ years ago.</p>

<p>If putting down Native American and Caucasian makes you happy, by all means do it. </p>

<p>Practically every caucasian American student can claim Native American heritage if 1/64 was the definition.</p>