<p>Middle Easterners are considered white....regardless of what your culture is like...someone from lebanon may live a different lifestyle than the typical white american, yet he is still white...</p>
<p>White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. It includes people who indicate their race as "White" or report entries such as Irish, German, Italian, Lebanese, Near Easterner, Arab, or Polish</p>
<p>@smoda, it is no coincidence I get additionally screened 90% of the time. I remember a specific time there were 17 arabs for screening at a US airport and about 2 other travelers. They actually tell you: "You have been selected for random additional screening". Everyone (like your family) does get screened every now in then, but Arabs get screened like 90% of the time. I do not oppose it by the way; People of middle eastern heritage are more likely to hijack a plane. I do not mind an extra 5-10 minutes of my time in order that we maintain the security of our country. </p>
<p>My point is that we are treated differently, so that they should at least treat us differently when it helps to be different (in college admissions). Just for the record, I have been affected by racism, but not to the extent some people make it out to be. Usually, people who are initially racist, end up respecting me once they get to know me. I guess I can not speak for all Middle Easterns because I am only Christian and do not have to put up with the animosity toward Muslims. </p>
<p>I feel that there has to be more than 10 students of Lebanese decent at Harvard as well, but that is what I have been told from a rather reliable source. Maybe he meant international students? Anyways, I was referring to 100% (possibly 50%) Lebanese students, not 1/4 and 1/8 Lebanese applicants. Of course, they accept several 1/4 and 1/8 applicants (at least more than ten!) I pointed this out because usually only those with Lebanese parents are in touch with their heritage to such a noticeable extent. Some friends who are half or a fourth Lebanese barely know a thing about the country. While for others, they are the first generation of their family to have lived in the US (so their upbringing is different), go to Lebanon regularly, speak arabic, and stay in touch with their heritage through community events. And if you were Lebanese or knew Lebanese people, you would know that they would bring up their race in college apps!! (right Quakeroats?)</p>
<p>@Bicyclekick, I know we are considered white, I am just saying that we should not be considered white. Anyways, if you noted that you were Other-Iraqi, I am sure it would aid your chances to some extent. Good luck to you to! (I will definitely need it)</p>
<p>well i did put i was white, but i made it clear in other parts of my app that i was Iraqi (essays, languages spoken, etc.)... also, they can prob tell we are middle eastern from our names</p>
<p>and i'm sure there are more than 10 people of lebanese decent at harvard...there may be 10 that are directly from lebanon (internationals), but there has to be more lebanese-americans</p>
<p>Waitn184 - All I can say is that my husband gets screened at the airport in the 90% range also. He has even been taken and put in this little booth that we think sucks all the gases of you and tests the air and had his belongings wiped down with special wipes that are also testing for something (we presume bomb residue but they don't exactly provide you with details at the time). We all joke how none of us want to travel with him.</p>
<p>Wow, they did that air test with me too. I got to admit it was quite scary. Well, it might have been a different test. I remember they put me in this booth with a glass door. Then, for ten seconds, I stood there waiting for what would happen. All of a sudden, it puffs out air from head to toe. </p>
<p>They say Lebanese and Italians look somewhat alike; maybe thats the reason they screen him so much?</p>
<p>Mal - So then what exactly is the puffer testing for?</p>
<p>Waitn - Could be. He is tall for an Italian, with the olive skin and black hair (more silver now and a good bit less). Personally I think that his goatee is what puts them over the top. BTW Interestingly enough, I remember when I first began dating him when I was 14. Parents were not so pleased (and also neither were his, his grandmother kept lighting candles to make "the evil spirit", me, go away). The Italian part was bad but what was even worse was that he was Catholic. My parents did come around and 7 years and 25 years of marriage, I wonder if my parents even remember behaving this way. I guess this is my little version of experience with discrimination and culture differences.</p>