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My counselor called me in today about "possible scholarship opportunity" for me. She said the College Board sent her something about me that said I was eligible for something because of the combo of Hispanic + PSAT scores. Did anyone else get this? What does it do? Just curious, but kind of excited because it sounds good.

By Ickyfoo (Ickyfoo) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 06:10 pm: Edit

its national hispanic scholar

By Mrpancake_2000 (Mrpancake_2000) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 06:12 pm: Edit

which means...? Sorry. I didn't have time to get the full gist of what it actually was except I said, "sign me up!" haha

By Mrpancake_2000 (Mrpancake_2000) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 08:01 pm: Edit

bump...

By Localmooer (Localmooer) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 08:50 pm: Edit

Well, there are three different things you could get due to a high PSAT score; there's National Hispanic Scholar (Hispanic), National Achievement Scholar (Black), and National Merit Scholar (anyone can get it, and the cutoff score is higher).

Basically, doors are opened if you progress (once you're a semifinalist). Colleges might have various programs for people that are one of the three. For example, Arizona State gives a full ride plus a stipend! However, most colleges that participate offer $2000 or $2500, and you might have to list that college beforehand as your "first choice" (you'll see). If one of your parents' companies participate in something, you'll get money; see the company for details. The last, least common possibility is that the foundation might directly give you cash.

By Mrpancake_2000 (Mrpancake_2000) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 10:16 pm: Edit

Is this a decent advantage in admissions?

By Howdydoody (Howdydoody) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 10:19 pm: Edit

Out of curiosity Mrpancake, are you 100% Hispanic? Do you look Hispanic and have a Spanish sounding name?

By Sinoda (Sinoda) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 12:04 am: Edit

Depending on your GPA, you will either be a National Hispanic Scholar or a National Hispanic Honorable Mention. It is a definite advantage in college admissions. In my case, as Localmooer pointed out, I received scholarship offers from several different colleges. Our local newspaper even ran a short article on me for receiving the award. So its definitely something to be proud of. Congrats.

By Mrpancake_2000 (Mrpancake_2000) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 12:11 am: Edit

No, 25%. I guess I kind of look Hispanic in some aspects, very brown skin in summer, brown hair, brown eyes, but have a German name (my dad is white white white!) I hope it is the National Hispanic Scholar. My counselor didn't talk too much about it, except I know it was from the college board, about my PSATS/background and that it made me eligible for "a pool of scholarships." I am excited because I cannot wait for college, but no matter where I go, a little money would help! Sinoda, were you a recipient? Thanks for informing me...I don't know too much about the whole process.

By Mrpancake_2000 (Mrpancake_2000) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 12:12 am: Edit

Actually, 3/8...so 37.5%

By Howdydoody (Howdydoody) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 12:26 am: Edit

Mrpancake_2000...you still mark that you are only Hispanic on tests? What does your transcript say for ethnicity? What do you plan to mark on college apps? Out of curiosity, is your mother's last name Hispanic? I was under the impression that you have to report all ethnicities of which you are a part if you report at all.

By Mrpancake_2000 (Mrpancake_2000) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 08:52 am: Edit

It is a rather weird situation, to say the least. My transcript info says white, which, I am going to change because if I am eligible for these scholarships, I should have consistent info and my counselor recommended it. I don't know why it says that. Actually, my mother has no Hispanic maiden name either, because her mother was full (but of course she didn't get her name...) and her dad was 1/2 (from his mother.) So her last name is Greek. This may make people mad, but I would only report all ethnicities if I could specify (which you usually can), but normally it says fill one box usually, "with which you most identify." I didn't realize until recently I could even check this, because I kind of tend to get the "YOU'RE Mexican?" and it is embarassing to have to explain to them that because I don't have an Hispanic last name...you get what I mean? So that is my story simplified.

By Howdydoody (Howdydoody) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 10:45 am: Edit

Hmmm...so on the college applications (where you can check all that apply), you are going to check Hispanic and also white? I would just be careful because if your name is obviously German you will probably have to acknowledge the fact that there is some white in you.

By Thedad (Thedad) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 10:59 am: Edit

The colleges really aren't interested in knowing what blood percentage is, how many X grandparents you had, etc. What they *are* interested in is cultural self-identity.

For their purposes, is the system perfect? No. Do some people cynically game the system? Yes. Can we sort out tell who is whom in this regard from their posts on line? Probably not.

Next case.

By Howdydoody (Howdydoody) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 11:02 am: Edit

Thedad...what do you plan to do with your D?

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 11:29 am: Edit

The question "Do you look Hispanic" is irrelevant. How do Hispanics look? They can be of any race. "Hispanic" is an ethnicity.

I know Hispanics who "look" Asian, because they are Asian. For instance, one of my friends is Asian (Chinese), but was born and raised in Panama, which also was where her parents were born.

I know someone who is Cuban-American -- both of her parents were born in Cuba. She has bright red hair, pink skin and green eyes.

I know plenty of Hispanics who have lots of African ancestry and have kinky hair, broad features and dark skin.

Many people assume that to be Hispanic, one must have black hair and brown skin, but that is not true. One can't look at someone and determine their ethnicity.

By Howdydoody (Howdydoody) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 11:45 am: Edit

Northstarmom...

That would be true, but I think that it is clear as to what colleges mean when they ask the ethnicity question. They want people who *look* Hispanic. They want to be able to take photos for viewbooks that show a diverse group of students. They want kids to see Hispanic looking people when they visit campus so that they can claim they are diverse. A person who looks white and claims to be Hispanic won't really help them because I think they are more concerned with skin color than anything else. If they were really only concerned with perspective, there would be AA for wealth status and social class status, too.

For that reason, if a kid's transcript says white and his name is obviously white, I don't know how far he will get in the admissions process if he marks Hispanic. Even if he identifies more with the culture, I believe they are looking for people who look Hispanic.

By Xiggi (Xiggi) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 12:05 pm: Edit

Funny that there are two similar threads on the Admission board.

Howdydoody, the colleges could NOT possibly base their recruiting and admission on "looks" or the sound of a surname. The ethnicity is based on blood lines and it does not matter in what percentage.

Being "brown" is not a requisite for being a Hispanic. Do yourself a favor and watch some Mexican television and watch for the VERY diverse skin types. In Mexico, you can find people who are black, indian, oriental and totally white, just to name a few. Just like in the United States, people have come to Mexico from all parts of the world. The Spaniards who conquered Mexico were not precisely dark. Their skin may be one of the "whitest" in the world. The list can go on but the point remains the same. You simply cannot make gross generalizations about ethnic background.

After all, what would Michael Jackson mark on his application?

By Howdydoody (Howdydoody) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 12:38 pm: Edit

I agree with everything you say, but I think that the colleges want people who look like they belong to the ethnic group they check. Of course people from an ethnicity can look a variety of ways, but we all have a picture of what a Hispanic person looks like in our heads. There are plenty of exceptions, but there is always the stereotypical view, and I think that is what the college is getting at, even if they do not state it emphatically.

Obviously, if a kid's name is Israel Goldenberg and he marks down Hispanic, the adcom is probably going to question the kid's ethnicity. While they may not check it out, there probably will be questions (even if left unsaid) that may hurt the applicant, considering there will be so many other applicant's who check Hispanic with Hispanic sounding names.

My advice to the OP was just to mark white if he can in addition to Hispanic (since he is 5/8 white). Even though the adcom may not check up on it, I am sure there are some little built in "checks" that they use (like family name and transcript) to verify. If they have reason to think that you are probably more white than Hispanic and you mark only Hispanic, they probably will not accept you. The OP also seems to have identified more with being white than Hispanic in the past. I think marking white and Hispanic will also probably get you the same AA benefits, and it is also a bit safer since you get to come "clean" with the entirety of your true heritage. Leaving out part of who you are solely for the purpose of AA seems a little too convenient, and I am sure that the adcoms will not appreciate it. There is such a thing called "lying by omission," and I think that this could qualify.

Ultimately, it is up to the applicant, but proceed with caution. BTW, I was not accusing Mrpancake_2000 of anything, just giving advice.

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 01:32 pm: Edit

When colleges look for URMs, I do not think that they are looking for people to dress up their viewbooks. Instead, they are looking for people who identify with underrepresented races and ethnicities so as to help broaden the perspectives on campus.

I certainly have learned a lot about Hispanic cultures from Hispanics who looked Asian, African or white, and who also identified strongly with HIspanic cultures. I've learned more from such people than from people who fit the stereotypical imagines of Hispanics, but wanted so much to blend in that they did everything possible to act like a mainstream American.

By Mrpancake_2000 (Mrpancake_2000) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 03:24 pm: Edit

I appreciate you not accusing me of anything. I will most definitely proceed with caution when applying, as far as my name goes, but the truth is, I am more Puerto Rican/Mexican than any other ethnicity as far as blood percentage, but I do realize I need to make sure colleges don't think I am lying about it because of my name. They do make sure you are Hispanic for the College Board National Hispanic Scholar, so I guess if I wrote that on an app. they'd have to know I was, indeed, at least 1/4 Hispanic. Thanks for all your opinions.

By Mrpancake_2000 (Mrpancake_2000) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 03:24 pm: Edit

I appreciate you not accusing me of anything. I will most definitely proceed with caution when applying, as far as my name goes, but the truth is, I am more Puerto Rican/Mexican than any other ethnicity as far as blood percentage, but I do realize I need to make sure colleges don't think I am lying about it because of my name. They do make sure you are Hispanic for the College Board National Hispanic Scholar, so I guess if I wrote that on an app. they'd have to know I was, indeed, at least 1/4 Hispanic. Thanks for all your opinions.

By Apguy (Apguy) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 03:32 pm: Edit

>>What they *are* interested in is cultural self-identity. <<

In that case I am going to say I am African American with the argument that Africa was once a part of several other continents as Pangea.

Excellent.

By Thedad (Thedad) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 06:50 pm: Edit

HowdyD: What do I plan to do with my daughter?

Send her to a good college, said choice to be considered and evaluated in conjunction with financial aid offers, etc.

By Thedad (Thedad) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 06:51 pm: Edit

Apguy, you're making a geographical point, not a cultural one. %%Bzonnnnnk%% There _was_ no Pangeaic culture. Thank you for playing. %%ka-REJECT!%%

By Sinoda (Sinoda) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 09:28 pm: Edit

To answer your question Mrpancake, yes, I was a receipient of the award. To be eligible for it I believe you have to prove that you are at least 50% Hispanic.

As far as the question of *looking* Hispanic or having a Hispanic sounding name: even though I am 100% Hispanic and have had several generations of family in my home country of El Salvador, I look totally white. My last name can easily be confused for a "white" name, and my parents gave me an American first name. I am fluent in spanish yet speak english with no accent. Despite this, I have received two scholarships targeted at Hispanics, one of which required an interview. So, for all those 25% or 37.5% Hispanics who think they don't "look" or "sound" Hispanic enough to benefit from their heritage, don't worry, some of us 100% Hispanics are like that too.

By Mrpancake_2000 (Mrpancake_2000) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 10:05 pm: Edit

Maybe this is something diff. then, all my counselor said is she need to make sure I was at least 25%. Congrats on your awards! How much money these awards give you? Are you a junior or senior? Where are you headed/Where would you like to go?

By Mrpancake_2000 (Mrpancake_2000) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 10:09 pm: Edit

Funny story, by the way: After being advised by numerous school officials to change the ethnicity on my official transcript, I asked what was necessary and I noticed also my middle initial was wrong. The lady said my mom had to come in to change it. In enrolling me in Kindergarden my mom had written the totally WRONG middle inital for my name! I was sort of flabbergasted. She also went on to tell me it was my fault it says I'm white because she, "has never listed [me] as white." Well, she indeed had circled the wrong box. It must have been an off day in '91...

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 12:18 am: Edit

Mrpancake: Any chance you have a younger sibling who may have been playing up at the time? Many a sympathetic mother--or tension headached secretary--has offered to help fill out a form if another's baby was squalling. She could have possibly checked boxes without affirming answers based on appearance (as mentioned above) and if there is a crying baby (or several) nearby, she may not have heard the initial correctly. Mothers may not always call the child by the correct name first everytime, but we generally can remember them when focused.

By Sinoda (Sinoda) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 12:55 am: Edit

Mrpancake: I'm currently a senior and will be majoring in electrical engineering and computer science next year at Berkeley. The scholarships I received will pay for my entire education for the next four years. I guess the award you received *is* something different. Here's the official site: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about/scholarships.html#hsrp

PS: Check your birth certificate to make sure your mom didn't mess up on THAT either.

By Mrpancake_2000 (Mrpancake_2000) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 08:49 am: Edit

Haha...no, she didn't! I had to bring it in for verification. LoL! Although, she didn't even really want my middle name to be what it is anyway...but that is a WHOLE different story!

By Xiggi (Xiggi) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 01:49 pm: Edit

Did she want your middle name to be ... pancake?
Oh well, that was a bad joke.

I know about problems with middle names. My middle name was also changed from the hispanic spelling to the anglo-saxon spelling but it was the same name at least. However, questions have come up about it and I have had to show the original and amended BC.

By Hopkinslax (Hopkinslax) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 07:03 pm: Edit

To be considered hispanic, one of your parents have been born in that country. For example, I am cuban because my father was born in cuba. However my kids won't be considered cuban, neither will their kids