What I DON'T understand about Asians

<p>Is why don't they <em>all</em> ignore the racial section of the application? It's optional, after all. The worse thing that can happen is that they'll assume you're Asian or find out because of your name/picture/transcript - well you're Asian, anyway - and the best thing that can happen is that they'll ignore race as a factor (treating you, in essence, as if you were white). So why not?</p>

<p>Well, I assume that if they ignore race as a factor, it means that they'll be treated the same as the worst race for that college, which is Asian anyway.</p>

<p>jpomnipotence is right</p>

<p>In general, if an applicant ignores the racial section, he/she will be subject to admissions rates that are much lower than the overall rate.</p>

<p>But that's what I said. I don't understand why ASIANS don't just ignore the category, because the worst that'll happen is that they'll be treated as Asians (which is what would've happened anyway)and there's a slim hope that they'll simply have race discounted as a factor.</p>

<p>they can figure out youre asian from your last name. and if you choose not to reveal your race, they can safely assume youre asian because only asians would choose not to reveal their race</p>

<p>Huh keshira has a point. MAybe it gives the impression to college admins that u hide stuff i dunno, interested to see the answers.</p>

<p>Simple, because a billion Asians have last names like Lee, Chang, and Choi. They don't need to fill in anything for race.. adcoms immediately know they are Asian.</p>

<p>I wish I didn't have to write my name on my app.... :(</p>

<p>I don't fill it in because I'm too lazy...</p>

<p>
[quote]
because a billion Asians have last names like Lee, Chang, and Choi.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I don't think Lee is a blatantly Asian last name. I'd feel more comfortable leaving my race off my app if that was my last name.</p>

<p>Ha, I'm Asian and my last name is ethno-neutral. I'm leaving the race part of the app blank.</p>

<p>
[quote]
In general, if an applicant ignores the racial section, he/she will be subject to admissions rates that are much lower than the overall rate.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Depends on the school.</p>

<p>You'd be surprised at how many different asian last names there are.</p>

<p>What you mean by "they" probably means me. It's not really a question of getting an edge into college admissions or that they are going to "find out" anyway based on their assumptions of your surname. College admissions have really turned into the shamble of myths and half-truths when students have to forsake their own identities in the application process.</p>

<p>It'll be great if all people could ignore race as a factor, but there are a lot of balancing interests to consider and the system does not work as we would all like it to. However, that does not mean that anyone should hide any part of themselves in fear of discrimination. I'll face any admissions board with my application checked proudly "Asian".</p>

<p>But if hiding part of themselves increases their chances, why not?</p>

<p>They should get a michael jackson makeover if they're that desparate I guess. It'll be even better than being Native American.</p>

<p>i'm naming my child john smith to spite the admissions committes.. he'll appreciate it when he's older..</p>

<p>you guys think "Zhou" sounds asian? yes? no? ;)</p>

<p>authority coming~~
the most recently family name rank is
1) Wang(Wong) 2) Li (Lee) 3)Zhang(Chang) and 4)Liu (Lau)<--,mine
Zhou definately sounds asian, it ranks the 9th and my mom is a Zhou...</p>

<p>i suddenly realized that you're asking 90% because you're a Zhou...haha
then maybe i shouldn't have answer it... so obviously... sorry xiaozhou'er :)</p>

<p>I happen to be 50% white and 50% asian...
I have an exceedingly German last name, and an exceedingly German first name, for that matter.. do I qualify as caucasian? Would I bubble in "other" for the race category? I've never been sure what to categorize myself as, because I look pretty asian.</p>