I will start my application process this summer and as everyone knows, colleges ask for race/ethnicity. I have no idea what to put in because I am from Tunisia don’t have a specific race. My dad is mixed race- My grandma is Arab but Black sub-Saharan descent and my grandpa is also Arab but I wouldn’t classify him as white since his skin tone is very tan and brown. My mom’s side of the family has fair skin with my grandma from her side being a white french woman and my grandpa was a Berber man and had fair skin but wasn’t completely white. Asking this because middle eastern/north African people are often classified as white even though some of them don’t look white to the slightest degree. People always say I look latino/mixed race and a person of color but never white so I’m unsure what to put down as my race/ethnicity so if someone can help that would be appreciated. Also is it true that being a minority helps w/ college apps or is that just a myth?
International students are typically at a disadvantage applying to US universities.
If you were a US citizen or permanent resident, you could check both white (north African, Arab, and European) and black (black African) ancestry, based on US Census categories. Whether and how that matters depends on the university.
Yes, “white” as a descriptor for north African and Arab people does not necessarily match how such people are treated in the typical racial/ethnic caste system in the US.
You’ve never had any forms that asked for your race or ethnicity? In the US we seem to get them all the time. Put whatever you identify as.
When people talk about race and ethnicity helping students in college admissions, I think they’re referring to US citizens. Admission to US colleges is highly competitive for international students, especially those who need financial aid. Apply wisely, and make sure you have safeties in your own country.
I live in the united states haha sorry for not clearing it up
But yes, I have always noticed that north Africans are categorized as white but I don’t get treated like one. I go to a majority white school and always get called names for where I’m from and they seem repulsive towards me because I’m not like them.
You can put as many races as you want, or just check multiracial.
For ethnicity, it will ask if you are Hispanic, and then you’ll get to choose white or non-white.
As for whether it will help you, it might.