<p>I don't want to debate affirmative action. I'm just seeking practical advice. For an Asian male (with an obvious family name), would it be better to not report ethnicity on college applications? Would it make ANY difference?</p>
<p>Growing up in an area with very few Asians, I have never identified with my ethnic heritage. I don't speak the language; I don't even like the food all that much. None of my close friends is Asian. None. I'm interested in many cultures. I'm an American and a world citizen. In fact, that's also how my parents think of themselves.</p>
<p>In my heart, I'm perfectly OK with non-reporting (especially if it might improve my odds), but I also don't want to appear disingenuous. As a practical matter, what would you do?</p>
<p>For what it's worth, I have fairly good stats (ACT 35 plus the usual). I want to study engineering in elite schools or state flagships with merit scholarships.</p>
<p>It won’t make any difference at schools offering admission or scholarships by GPA and test score thresholds or formula (e.g. the University of Alabama campuses if you meet the GPA and test score thresholds for the large merit scholarships).</p>
<p>Where holistic review comes into play… who (on the outside of the admissions committees) knows? (and the answer is not necessarily the same everywhere)</p>
<p>Of course, if your extracurricular profile does not look stereotypically like piano, violin, and math club, you may better be able to avoid looking “too common” to a college trying to “build a diverse class of unique individuals”.</p>
<p>what if your a different type of asian?
For example, lets say your not chinese, korean, or indian?
Like for me I came from Pakistan when I was 3 and I am now currently a citizen and I don’t know if it will make any difference versus the other nations because I actually do want to put my race down on my apps but don’t want the penalty of being put in an asian box without the adcoms seeing me as diffrrent.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus - Ha Ha! No piano, violin or math club for me. Are these what Asians do? Like I said, I don’t have many Asian friends as “role models”. I do like math, though. I got perfect scores in ACT Math and SAT II Math. Would that give me away? Just kidding!</p>
<p>Anyway, guys, I have an obviously Chinese family name. Should I report my race? I don’t want to appear disingenuous or uncooperative. It’s not like I resent my heritage or anything. On the other hand, if certain schools (or scholarships, internships, summer camps, etc.) are more interested in achieving racial diversity ON PAPER, like in the common data set, than the actual skin colors on campus, not reporting might give me a slight edge. Thoughts?</p>
<p>^Sigh, I was so close! Lee is my Mom’s name. Because she kept her name after marriage (which I assume is an Asian thing), people often assume Lee is my Dad’s name and refer to him as Mr. Lee. He doesn’t mind, but sometimes it’s pretty funny when he doesn’t know people are calling him.</p>
<p>They are stereotypical “tiger child” extracurriculars, and admissions people at selective colleges probably see a lot of “Asian, piano, violin, math club” applications.</p>
<p>What has the world gone to when you are ashamed of being ethnically different…If you don’t embrace you’re Asian heritage, then go write it on the Common App section. I’ve just about had it with people who wish to be another race/ethnicity.</p>
<p>@Momof2happyboys - Oh, I know. I’m not trying to hide anything at all. In fact, my biggest concern is by not reporting I might appear to be trying to hide something. That’s a big part of why I am seeking advice here. Is there any downside of opting out of self-identifying ethnicity? I’m only thinking about the implications of that one specific question on the application. Everywhere else on the application, I’m a happy Chinese American and I might even write an essay about it.</p>
<p>I know this probably won’t make any difference 99% of the time, but I wanted to see what people think about it.</p>
<p>@ORMFTW, I totally understand your concerns. That has nothing to do with being ashamed of an Asian or not.</p>
<p>Now I recalled, I went to attend a college application seminar last year with my son; and according to the college consultant, you should check your ethnicity if you have an obvious Asian name.</p>
<p>In general engineering schools lean toward the stats more heavily. State engineering schools are even more so. I know quite a few Asian kids who got in at places like MIT, Mudd, CMU… Our state engineering school, nationally acclaimed, is filled with Asian kids. As far as race is concerned, it is what it is. You’ll be fine. Stay positive.</p>
<p>Sorry I don’t know how to quote messages here. My previous message about the “Lee” suggestion (which was made in jest in the first place) should have been sprinkled with smileys. I thought it was obvious light-hearted banter, but maybe not.</p>
<p>“Growing up in an area with very few Asians, I have never identified with my ethnic heritage. I don’t speak the language; I don’t even like the food all that much. None of my close friends is Asian. None. I’m interested in many cultures. I’m an American and a world citizen.”</p>
<p>I have grown up in an area filled with hispanics and blacks, and am proud to be Asian. You don’t need to have Asian friends to be Asian. Now you’re ashamed to be tagged with Asian- in your heritage? Did not want to bash your plea but you deserved it.</p>