<p>Hi all, this is an awfully strange question but I need some help. My parents are white South Africans who as of now are not citizens of the United States. (they will be eventually) they have lived here for my whole life and two years prior. My dad makes 200k+ a year but has no degree and my mother doesn't either, each for unusual reasons. My mom went to University of Cape Town but dropped out just a few credits before grad. due to medical reasons (she's fine now) My dad was Valedictorian at his high school but did not go to Uni. because he had no push from his parents (alcoholic father) eventually his brother forced him to go to college (in SA there is a big distinction between Uni and College, college is not degree granting) His whole life has been an upward climb and success story and I live a very privileged life and look up to him in many aspects. I know the face that my parents lack degrees is kind of a hook, making me first generation. Legally I am African American because of my parents and families background in Africa and stuff but by societies standards am white. I am (not in a bragging way or anything) already as a white student from a wealthy income bracket a strong candidate for an Ivy or elite school (4.0 UW gpa, involved, 14-15 AP classes by grad etc.) I know African American students of this caliber are practically guaranteed admission to schools but I am a pretty honest person with morals that make me say no, say you're white and get in the "honorable way" but legally and on docs and stuff i AM considered African American. Would saying I'm white be lying due to legalities or saying I'm African American be lying do to skin color? I don't want to lie to get in and I want to know what the valid race I should put. I am having considering putting mixed or declining to say because it's very confusing to me. Thanks and sorry for the long post....</p>
<p>The question on the CommonApp asks “how you identify yourself.” If you think of yourself as a white person, that’s what you should answer. If you want to say you identify as an African American because your parents are from Africa, that’s up to you. Do you think of yourself as African American, really? Think of it this way: Would someone who is Egyptian say he or she is an African American? Probably that person would say he or she is Middle Eastern, even though Egypt is part of Africa.</p>
<p>Afrikaans South Africans are discussed here,not infrequently. You’re white. African American is a construct which the colleges define. You don’t fall under it.</p>
<p>Look at post #8
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1228264-race-college-admission-faq-discussion-9-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1228264-race-college-admission-faq-discussion-9-a.html</a></p>
<p>MODERATOR NOTE: Please direct further comments and questions to the Race FAQ sticky thread linked to in the above post.</p>