Question regarding race and applications.

[peam]

My girlfriend, who is half Hispanic, was thumbing through a college directory today and asked me if she should put down her race as Caucasian or Hispanic, when she applies.

I told her that she should put down Hispanic as race because that would more than likely allow her to access more financial aid, etc.

Then I realized that may not be quite correct.

So, can a person who is 50% of a race claim whichever one they choose?

[Hulkein]

My cousin who is part (like 10%, not even noticeable) Cherokee chooses Native American. I know for sure being Native American helps you get into schools etc. I don't know for hispanic though. I'd guess it would be more helpful then choosing white. :shrug:

[SpunGirl]

I don't see why not.

-K

[Snapp]

I think being 1/10th of a minority is the cut-off for choosing it. At least that is what I was told by my friend who is like 1/8th black and chose African American on one of those apps.

[gcstader]

Being a minority gives you a significant advantage when applying for college. I would definately put down hispanic if I were her.

~Greg

[Edaarin]

For college applications, so long as they have 1/8th or more blood in that race it is acceptable. HOWEVER colleges have also now began adding another option, multicultural, which some would suggest to use.

For the record, I think having a race category at all is horseshit.

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Edaarin
For the record, I think having a race category at all is horseshit. How're they supposed to know they're not discriminating without a race category?

...

[Souzy]

Especially for the fact that Asians aren't even being considered minorities in colleges anymore. WTF is that all about?

[Drew]

Originally posted by Latrinsorm
How're they supposed to know they're not discriminating without a race category?

...

Was this a joke? If there was no race category everyone would be accepted solely based on merits, that is the definition of non-discrimination.

[Edaarin]

Hmm...John No Deer...must be Cherokee...has a 1020 SAT score...top 50% of the class...he's in!

Uh oh...Michael Chan...only a 1590...reject his sorry ass.

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Drew
Was this a joke?Yes. Something must be wrong with me lately, nobody gets my jokes. Like when I set my brother on fire (get it? He's on fire!!) he didn't laugh or nothing.

[Blazing247]

<Originally posted by Latrinsorm
How're they supposed to know they're not discriminating without a race category? >

I was reading the classifieds today, and in the help wanted section an ad struck my interest. At the bottom of the ad it said "Minorities ENCOURAGED to apply." Not even all that "We are an EOE, blah blah" crap, this was the ever more blatant "If you aren't white, PLEASE APPLY". Thank you Affirmative Action for being the most outdated program, besides the Blue Laws (anyone who grew up in CT knows what I'm talking about), still in effect.

[SpunGirl]

I like to put that I'm Native American on those questions. I was born here, after all.

-K

[Weedmage Princess]

Normally I check off both Hispanic and Native American when answering that question.

[AnticorRifling]

I hate that question. Why are the choices African American, Latin American, and white? It needs to either be Anglo-saxon American or black, brown, yellow, white.

Race questions need eliminated anyway. They shouldn't have a quota to meet. I'm tired of seeing places, like my work, hire because they have to diversify only to hire underqualified people who get canned or leave in a month. Hire on skill don't hire based on what will look good on a demographic survey.

I claim myself to be a minority anyway. Straight white male, we are a dying breed :cool:

[killjoymp]

Everything i apply for I put down Native American because i am 1/4 Cherokee.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Today we know with certainty that segregation is dead. The only question remaining is how costly will be the funeral. ~Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

Man had vision.

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by Latrinsorm

Originally posted by Edaarin
For the record, I think having a race category at all is horseshit. How're they supposed to know they're not discriminating without a race category?

...

It should be part of a separate monitoring form that is sent out with the application but returned in a separate envelope to the application so they can monitor the characteristics of applicants and match that up with those of people that reach the final stages of the interviewing process.

If it's part of the application itself, it gives people the opportunity to discriminate.

Having said that, names can often do as much for applicants.

Something on the news here not long ago was that a group sent off applications for jobs with two sets of people with very similar qualifications and experiences.

Those with British sounding names did considerably better in the application process than those with black or asian sounding names.

[Wezas]

Originally posted by Lalana
Especially for the fact that Asians aren't even being considered minorities in colleges anymore. WTF is that all about?

Come to Northern Virginia. Walk onto a NOVA (Community College) Annandale campus (the biggest campus). Look around.

Asians are definately not a minority in some places.

[AnticorRifling]

I had a harder time getting money for college than my Puerto Rican friend and my Viet buddy even though I scored higher on all tests.

[Wezas]

Originally posted by AnticorRifling
I had a harder time getting money for college than my Puerto Rican friend and my Viet buddy even though I scored higher on all tests.

<had to be said>
I'll have you know my best friend is black
</had to be said>

[DeV]

Originally posted by Wezas

Originally posted by Lalana
Especially for the fact that Asians aren't even being considered minorities in colleges anymore. WTF is that all about?

Come to Northern Virginia. Walk onto a NOVA (Community College) Annandale campus (the biggest campus). Look around.

Asians are definately not a minority in some places. Same with most of the larger Universities in the Chicago area. I see more Asians than blacks and hispanics put together.


Race questions need to be eliminated from college applications and so does the grandfather clause. Acceptance should solely be based on merit and academic accomplishments.