The other half of asian/pacific islander

Applying to College
1

<p>As we all know, very few colleges are out to find Asian/Pacific Islanders, due to the large amount of highly motivated and successful Chinese/Japanese/Koreans out there. However, it has been my experience that little to no thought is ever given to to the other half of that bracket, the Pacific Islanders. I'm Indonesian, and I know that, ironically, despite being one of the most under-represented enthic groups in the US (if one thinks globally, Indonesia ranks fourth largest in the world in terms of population), yet I know that I'm going to get screwed over in the affirmative action/URM game because I'm grouped with the East Asians.</p>

<p>So, does anyone know of colleges that make the distinction between the two groups and/or have URM programs targeted directly at Pacific Islanders?</p>

2

<p>I know that some of the programs I'm applying to actually say "Aleutian/Pacific Islander" or "Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander"</p>

<p>and then I check that instead of Asian, but i don't think there's a difference really</p>

3

<p>Another solution is try as hard as the East Asians :-)</p>

4

<p>Put Other: Your Race.</p>

5

<p>can Japan be considered a Pacific Island?</p>

6

<p>No (for various valid reasons)</p>

7

<p>well it is an island...or islands...in the pacific :)</p>

8

<p>I second BlackTie.</p>

9

<p>Try? What is this word, try? Could this be related to other archaic and esoteric phrases like "Effort" and "Workmanship", both unheard in the public unconscious for millenia?</p>

10

<p>Yeah, I've always thought that was really unfair. I thought the UC system or uses subcategories to prevent this, though.</p>

<p>I'm Chinese, so I'm screwed either way. ;) Not even interesting Chinese, like Miao or Tibetan-- Han.</p>

11

<p>If you were Hmong you wouldn't say "Miao," which is actually a derogatory term, I'm told.</p>

12

<p>See OMB revisions to its Statistical Policy Directive No. 15, Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal Statistics and Administrative Reporting, 1997. Revisions</a> to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity</p>

<p>
[quote]
SUMMARY: By this Notice, OMB is announcing its decision concerning the revision of Statistical Policy Directive No. 15, Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal Statistics and Administrative Reporting. OMB is accepting the recommendations of the Interagency Committee for the Review of the Racial and Ethnic Standards with the following two modifications: (1) the Asian or Pacific Islander category will be separated into two categories -- "Asian" and "Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander,"

[/quote]
</p>

13

<p>im an indonesian.
i put me as an asian in all my application.
if you dont want to do that,,you can simply put indonesian there.
i dont think admission decision will be based on your race..?
so why youre worried for?</p>

14

<p>how is it not fair? how is it fair to anyone in the first place?</p>

15

<p>I know that at Stanford, Filipinos are considered URM's. I'm not sure if other pacific islanders are considered URM's, but I think it would be safe to assume so.</p>

16

<p>Filipinos are considered URMs? as in...they get affirmative action advantages?</p>

17

<p>I'm half-Filipina, but my last name is Chinese. For some reason I get the feeling that Filipinos would be URMs at some places, or maybe that's just wishful thinking. I did write my major application essay on being Filipina, just to emphasize that I was of that ethnicity, I guess.</p>

<p>Oh, the troubles of being Asian...:)</p>

18

<p>peach chardonnay: I can't speak for all universities, but at Stanford, Filipinos get affirmative action advantages.</p>