<p>Hi guys I'm going to be applying to colleges in two years, and my whole life my mom has been putting hispanic as my ethnicity, and I am Brazilian. My mom said there is some U.S. Law that defines Hispanic as belonging to central or South America. Hispanic is defined as from a spanish speaking country, but Brazil speaks portuguese and not spanish. I just wanted to know for college if it is legal for me to put Hispanic, because I dont want to lie on my application if Brazil isnt considered Hispanic. Also if you guys can post a source of that law or any proof that would be a greater helps. Thanks.</p>
<p>The terms “Latino” and “Hispanic” are often used interchangibly in the United States. When you apply for colleges, you’ll probably be asked if you are of “Hispanic or Latino” heritage. You’ll also be asked to specify what racial group you identify with. Both of these questions are usually optional though.</p>
<p>“usually optional though” yea but its easier to get into most colleges if I mark this, so im wondering if colleges generally consider brazilians in that category</p>
<p>In the US there are general groups of people (these are on almost all kinds of apps):
Asian(including Indians)
Hawaiian/pacific islander
African/black(including Caribbean)
White/middle eastern
Native american
Hispanic/Latino</p>
<p>These usually have sub groups and you choose which one you most identify with. For Hispanic/Latino they have things like mexican, Chicano, Spanish, and I forgot the others. You can also put “other” too</p>