What Happens If You Don't Check the Race Box?

<p>I've got a question from friends of D that I truly don't know the answer to. And that is, what happens if you don't check the race box? (We've got a diverse HS.) Do schools make assumptions, check other sources, ask the guidance counselor, make no assumption whatsoever?</p>

<p>A few of D's friends are Chinese, but adopted. They don't have Chinese names and want to avoid the so-called Asian quota of the Ivies. Others have Hispanic names, and are a minority, but not a minority generally recognized in this country. (Their families fled Spain/Portugal 500 years ago for North Africa to flee the Inquisition. So they're Jewish, but culturally Arab.) Some are Arab, and not exactly comfortable with the idea that they are "white". One kid refuses to claim he's African-American, when he clearly is. I'm sure there are other cases. </p>

<p>So no one is claiming to be something they're not, although some seem to be letting admissions committees make incorrect assumptions, if they do that sort of thing. So what happens? Does it just become a non-factor? Of course, interviews will blow some of the cover, do interviewers make a note? </p>

<p>It's all a big mystery.</p>

<p>I would imagine it depends on who’s looking at your admissions packet - it probably varies from counselor to counselor (not even school to school, but literally on who gets your packet first). Most probably make no assumptions whatsoever; many will probably assume that you are white; some may try to check other sources. I’d be that few call your guidance counselor.</p>

<p>I’m not convinced of this so-called “Asian quota” that much has been made of. It’s true that overall, Ivy League Asian students have higher SAT benchmarks to meet when competing for admissions than most of their white, Hispanic, and black peers, but it’s also true that Asian students score higher on the SAT on average anyway. Asian students are also very overrepresented at most top schools (they are 5% of the U.S. population, but 19% of the undergrad body at Harvard, 19% at Princeton, 19% at Stanford, and 24% at MIT).</p>

<p>So I just think it becomes a non-factor. I also have a friend who does interviews for Cornell, her alma mater. She says that her interviews aren’t really for admissions purposes; they’re more to increase yield by getting students excited about her alma mater and trying to convince them to go. I doubt that they report their interviewees races to the admissions committee.</p>

<p>The race factor has long been debated for college admissions, the name of the court case has slipt my mind but a while back an asian family tried to sue for the asian college discrimination thing, but it was not ruled in their favor. Personally, I have a few half-asian friends who have American last names and don’t check “asian” on any part of their app. Although it does ask for both your parents names, and the mother’s maiden name could give something away.
I find it interesting that you talked about an African American kid who refuses to claim that he is african american- that would work for him in the “minorities” section.
It probably makes no difference if you don’t check a box, unless your race is underrepresented in the college.</p>

<p>[U.S&lt;/a&gt;. College Apps – To Check or Not to Check the Race Box](<a href=“http://chineseculture.about.com/b/2011/12/04/u-s-college-apps-to-check-or-not-to-check-the-race-box.htm]U.S”>http://chineseculture.about.com/b/2011/12/04/u-s-college-apps-to-check-or-not-to-check-the-race-box.htm)</p>

<p>I found this article helpful. it might be better to leave it unchecked, unless you have a very impressive record and essays where race wouldnt even matter. (for example, you have near perfect SAT score and is ranked top of the class)</p>

<p>Probably equivalent to whatever the school’s least preferred race or ethnicity is.</p>

<p>However, the difference it makes in admissions likely ranges from none to less than most people think it makes.</p>

<p>The prevailing advice within the Asian community is, if you are of mixed race, check the box of the non-Asian race or Other. I would imagine if you are the adopted child of non Asian parents, just leave it unchecked. (Too bad there isn’t a box marked “It’s complicated”)</p>

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<p>But since +90% of Asian applicants to HYPSCM, etc. got and will get rejection notices, the “anti-asian” bias will be continually confirmed as truth and perpetuated. Hmmmmmm…</p>

<p>My advice is this: rather than worry about some meta statistic, set them up for success by assisting your kid to be the best person possible and not focused on the brand name of the college they attend. If they are any where even in the realm of being a viable applicant to top schools, then they also will 99% likely have a very successful college career.</p>

<p>My kid (half Asian with Chinese last name) is a Junior and will likely apply to 1-2 Ivies plus some other somewhat selective colleges. We’re fortunate that her “fallback” college is an excellent program. I’m good with any of it.</p>

<p>^ I didn’t say it was good advice or particularly effective. I’m just passing on what I hear. This only pertains to kids whose fathers are non Asian (need the non Asian last name for this to work), a small subset of the Asian community.</p>

<p>Check them all. Check none. Check other. Check them randomly.</p>

<p>In many cases this is more to keep the Feds happy when the colleges do their statistical reporting than it is for actual admissions purposes. You should see how my community college ESOL students struggle with this. Many are Central American immigrants and are puzzled by the racial categories here in the US. Once they check the Yes in the Hispanic column, they feel done.</p>

<p>It really depends on what school your friend apply to. Even within the UC system, they are different. Cal and UCLA only see your UC application number, that’s it. Nothing more. However, for UCD, they can see your name, your gender, race, household income, etc.</p>

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I like this option.</p>