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In terms of being Indian, and having to check off the Asian-American Ethnic box, does being Indian hurt you as a physics or math major?

By Valpal (Valpal) on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 01:45 am: Edit

Unfortunately, I think it might (depending upon how many other Indians are applying to the same school as Math/Physics majors) because Math and Science careers are often highly valued by the Asian (Indian) community. Asian science majors are "a dime a dozen", so to speak---at least that's probably how most adcoms would see it. If you were interested in Linguistics or English Literature or Art Hisotry, you would be seen as an anomoly (and therefore, perhaps, as more desirable), just as African Americans interested in Engineering would be.

Maybe you should check the "caucasian" box. Aren't Indians actually considered to be racially caucasian? You wouldn't be lying in that case. You could avoid the stereotype asians are often saddled with, because whites are so seldom stereotypically boxed-in.

By Jimjunior (Jimjunior) on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 01:48 am: Edit

I know people from the Middle East are caucasion, I am not sure if that extends all of the way to India. It's one of those race and ethnicity things

By Surfndcoolwater (Surfndcoolwater) on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 03:01 am: Edit

do mexicans have a certain strong point?

By Polly (Polly) on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 04:38 am: Edit

Indian people do not look like "Asians"... :D
From my view point.

By Winterfresh (Winterfresh) on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 08:26 am: Edit

I heard Indian is considered asian. That's what my friend checked on her application.

By Valpal (Valpal) on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 01:27 am: Edit

Actually, Indians seem to be able to stand with one foot on either side of the line: They are considered both "caucasian" and "asian". Very interesting. But as I've said, it is most advantageous to be caucasian in the majority of situations. My advice: Check the white box.