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I have a weird question. I have 3 great grandparents from Puerto Rico and 1 or 2 from Mexico. Do I count as a minortiy. Just curious. I have selected Hispanic before on standardized testing, but my last name isn't Hispanic.

By Kalitiha (Kalitiha) on Monday, March 17, 2003 - 04:02 pm: Edit

Take whatever you can get. People still call themselves Italian-American when their grandparents came over 60 years ago, there's no reason why you can't claim Hispanic. And, sadly, it might just give you an admissions advantage due to AA.

By Mrpancake2000 (Mrpancake2000) on Monday, March 17, 2003 - 04:51 pm: Edit

Well, thats just the thing. I got postcards from Yale (which didn't mention anything about Hispanic) and Harvard, a letter from a student who was going to be talking in LA soon, when I kept reading it said "minority recruitement program." I am not a real candidate for Harvard or Yale anyway, but I do have a 3.75 UW with honors and AP classes and the likes. Do you think they send these cards to anyone, or just people who are "minorities" with high PSAT/SAT. I feel like if people with a legacy have an advantage...I should too!

By Kalitiha (Kalitiha) on Monday, March 17, 2003 - 06:49 pm: Edit

You sound like you may be prepared for Yale or Harvard regardless of minority status. There's no reason not to apply, especially if you can take advantage of being considered a minority. Based on the "minority recruitment" bit, I would say they send these to students who identify as minorities and have high test scores.

By Mrpancake2000 (Mrpancake2000) on Monday, March 17, 2003 - 10:05 pm: Edit

bump. Any other opinions on whether or not I can call myself a URM?

By Mrpancake2000 (Mrpancake2000) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 08:50 am: Edit

bump

By Drusba (Drusba) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 10:00 am: Edit

Generally such communications are targeted for someone who is considered a minority. Thus, they must have gotten the information from something you filled out -- could be checking a box on PSAT/SAT application, some form you may have filled out to get information from colleges in general -- or possibly even from information provided by your school. With your ancestry you can claim minority status. Also, with your GPA (and assuming a high SAT) you need not rule out Yale or Harvard or the like regardless of minority status; just note that for virtually everybody who applies those are reach schools but if you can handle the application fee it is worth the shot. Many with 4 GPA's and 1590's on the SAT don't get in to those schools but then many with 3.7 and 1400 scores do.

By Mrpancake2000 (Mrpancake2000) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 09:14 pm: Edit

But, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade (bad way to say: if you can call yourself a minority, why not?). So, with a minority status, do I have a chances at places like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, University of Virginia, UCLA, UC Berkeley...
My mom and I were talking about it today, and she told me I would be a fool not to call myself Hispanic. She went on to explain that she was never encouraged to get an education, nor were her parents, and this is the "real opportunity" for me to really show what I can do... It made me feel good, and I feel conflicted about affirmative action, but if it helps women, people from Arkansas, and legacies, why shouldn't it help me?

By Mrpancake2000 (Mrpancake2000) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 11:03 pm: Edit

bump

By Boysmom (Boysmom) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 07:58 am: Edit

According to everything I've read, to consider yourself a minority, you must be at least 50%. So you must either have two parents who are at least 50% each, or one parent who is 100%.

By Rossi (Rossi) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 10:36 am: Edit

is having indian parents considered minority

By Mrpancake2000 (Mrpancake2000) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 05:36 pm: Edit

50%? I have had people tell me to apply to colleges as one, but I am only 3/8? Any other opinions on whether or not I am "Hispanic?" (2 great grandparents from puerto rico, 1 from mexico)

By Mrpancake2000 (Mrpancake2000) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 05:37 pm: Edit

i am only 3/8 isn't really a question....im tired

By Drusba (Drusba) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 07:34 pm: Edit

I have never heard of a 50% rule. My understanding is that minority status for college admissions follows the same definition as the US Census, which itelf is vague -- for example someone Hispanic is someone with Mexican, Puerto Rican (and some others) "descent" or whose "origin" is one of those countries. To a significant extent, it is self selection as long as you have qualified "descent." In fact, check with your parents as to whether either of them marked Hispanic when they filled out the 2000 census as that would likely be conclusive that you can claim such status. Nevertheless, let's hear from others who may know of a 50% rule.

By Mrpancake2000 (Mrpancake2000) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 07:51 pm: Edit

this is great help on this board. thanks to everyone for putting up with my dumb questions. I really appreciate it. I haven't heard of such a 50% rule either, but I havent heard of a lot of things.

By Mrpancake2000 (Mrpancake2000) on Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 08:55 am: Edit

more opinions, please. anyone?

By Mrpancake2000 (Mrpancake2000) on Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 06:09 pm: Edit

So, as an Hispanic male, do I have chances at places like Yale, Harvard, University of Virginia, Stanford, Berkeley, UCLA, Princeton, Cornell? 3.75 GPA, top 10% of 700 students, 3 years advanced journalism, next years financial manager, 8 years piano with several awards in that area, some volunteer work, job since sophomore year...1280 SAT, taking again in 2 weeks, SAT IIs in June.

By Wembleyfraggle7 (Wembleyfraggle7) on Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 08:36 pm: Edit

50%?
you only have to be 1/16 native american to qualify as one yourself...but i don't know about any others

By Mrpancake2000 (Mrpancake2000) on Friday, March 21, 2003 - 06:10 pm: Edit

ahoy hoy...anyone else

By Hildegard (Hildegard) on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 01:08 am: Edit

Pancake, did you happen to know that places like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, etc, admit people with 3.75 GPA, and top 10%, volunteer work, Ec's, interests in other areas (piano qualifies) and the things you've listed?

What makes you think that you don't have a shot? Your Hispanic status can help, but it doesn't give you the "chance" at those places. Your credentials do, and your heritage "helps" a bit.

Take the SAT again and you're in. Good luck.

By Mrpancake2000 (Mrpancake2000) on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 10:02 am: Edit

i don't know...i seems like everyone who is in there has a 9.5 GPA ( ) and is the perfect person. I figure it is worth a shot. Thanks everyone for the encouragement. It really helps.

By Londoner (Londoner) on Monday, March 24, 2003 - 02:24 pm: Edit

Are arabs considered URMs? Probably considered as terrorist threats actually.

I'm 100% Lebanese (born and bred in London)

Prob not right? Maybe I shouldn't have written it on my app. They'll probably think im hezbollah! Or maybe that's an incentive for them to accept me (otherwise i'll bomb Harvard into the ground). Just kidding guys! I've probably scared everyone now...

By Congocross (Congocross) on Monday, March 24, 2003 - 05:59 pm: Edit

Are you a Jihad Londoner? Do not worry, if the college would not accept you because of your enthicity then it is their loss/studpidity.