Tough AA Question

Applying to College
1

<p>Here's the Deal:</p>

<p>I'm Essentially Half Black Half Asian.
My Last Name is Patel [The Most Common Indian Name]
My Mom is Black
My Dad is Asian
On the Common App. my mom's Last Name won't show up only Patel, thus both my parent's last names would be Patel.</p>

<p>Could I check African American only? Or do I have to Check Asian/African american? And would I recieve AA, seeing as they might think I have 2 Indian Parents?</p>

<p>Thanks. Btw I look more Asian than Black lol if that helps =p.</p>

2

<p>Check Asian/African american</p>

3

<p>But would I benefit from Affirm. Action?</p>

4

<p>It doesn’t matter how you look; it matters with which you identify yourself. Choose which ever you want. If you are Black, then select it. Depending on the school, you may or may not benefit from Affirmative Action.</p>

5

<p>Is Circling African American the same as Circling African/Asian American for AA purposes though?</p>

6

<p>That honestly does depend on the school and how it views ethnicity. If you truly have thoughts about how you will be viewed, pick either Asian American or African American, and there is no gray area through which the schools must sift. Whether or not shall be helped by Affirmative Action depends solely on the school and its AA policies.</p>

7

<p>Why don't you put other or biracial, and WRITE that you are half African-American and half-Indian. You should be proud of both sides of your heritage, why would you want to denounce half of yourself?</p>

8

<p>I would pick African American over Asian to get into colleges lol. But if putting both is the same then I'd put both. Get it?</p>

9

<p>colleges are beginning to separate those who are multi-racial from those who are only black. They are also beginning to separate rich black people from poor, Africans from Black Americans.</p>

10

<p>You can check both.</p>

11

<p>Of which ethnicity do you most closely identify with? If black, by all means put black.</p>

12

<p>This question is very straight forward, I'm amazed so many students have such a problem with it. You are being asked to describe your biological ethnic/racial make-up, period. It's no different from any other question you are asked on the application, you are expected to answer it accurately and truthfully. If you are multiracial, either mark all boxes that apply or check multiracial and explain what you are. And yes, you will be put in the URM pile either way you report it. </p>

<p>It doesn't matter what your mother's surname is or what you look like. And whether or not you identify with the race/ethnicity that you mark is a whole different question. How much of a hook your ethnicity will be depends on your SES, hardships, activity in your community, etc., and they will determine that by your financial statement, recommendations, essays & EC's.</p>