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I'm a junior, and I'll be applying to Columbia ED next year.

Please, excuse me for being politically incorrect, but here I go.

I'm half white (jewish), and half asian.

On my application, what do you think be "best" to put--viz., what would improve my chances the most (if race is even a big deal...is it?).

I've seen many posts that claim Asian males have a more difficult time in the admissions process, but then again, it's not exactly easy for white males either. Anyway, here are my options:

1) White
2) Asian
3) Other (and write half white/asian or jewish/asian)

Thanks for your time.

By Ripvak23 (Ripvak23) on Sunday, May 09, 2004 - 08:01 pm: Edit

Hey kid... I was accepted to Columbia College and I'm Jewish and from what I've heard, Columbia has a substantial amounts of Jews (about 1/4 of the student body is Jewish). But, then again, many Asians can be found among all the top colleges. To answer your question, I'd go with "other." Being diverse concerning race is always a plus in admissions. Personally, I think its pretty cool that you're jewish/asian. Holla.

By Pigeonblood (Pigeonblood) on Sunday, May 09, 2004 - 08:11 pm: Edit

No, you should put: asian mom, white dad. Or something more specific than "other."

By Ripvak23 (Ripvak23) on Sunday, May 09, 2004 - 08:15 pm: Edit

That's what I meant: other (jewish/asian). That will be fine.

By Godis (Godis) on Sunday, May 09, 2004 - 08:53 pm: Edit

why don't you just put asian mom? that'd be interesting to read.

By Thenarrator (Thenarrator) on Sunday, May 09, 2004 - 09:11 pm: Edit

what do u have on your birth certificate?

By Nikelaos (Nikelaos) on Sunday, May 09, 2004 - 09:49 pm: Edit

I think it's absolutely ridiculous some people pigeonhole themselves into one ethnic group in detriment to the other... Put both! Unless you really feel more Jewish or more Asian, I think you should really show how those two cultures have contributed equally to who you have become... even if it's only in one little fill-in-the-bubble question.

Oh, by the way I'm a hapa as well (half Italian and half Japanese) attending Columbia in the fall ;)

By Deerhunter (Deerhunter) on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 12:56 am: Edit

Thanks for the advice guys.

I don't know if I feel more jewish than asian...I have both jewish and asian friends, and I feel like I identify with both cultures.

I think I will put both, if it's possible. I can bubble in two choices for the Columbia application right?

If I could only put one, I would be a little confused :-/

By Nikelaos (Nikelaos) on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 02:53 am: Edit

Umm I don't remember if this applied to the Columbia application as well, but in most cases I was allowed to fill in more than one bubble. Otherwise, there's always the wonderful "other" option ;)

By Mnm86 (Mnm86) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 04:42 pm: Edit

they have a biracial/multiracial bubble. and then a line following it. that's what you should fill in, and then you should specify white/asian.

By Blackivyleaguer (Blackivyleaguer) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 08:43 pm: Edit

This is sooooooooooooo funny. I'm black, hi. (waves)

By Babybird87 (Babybird87) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 10:16 pm: Edit

Hi! (waves back) I'm thinking of putting Arab on my application. Just so I can have my shoes checked at the interview. I am part Arab, don't get mad, anybody.

By Invalidusername (Invalidusername) on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 06:50 pm: Edit

"I'm thinking of putting Arab on my application"

That counts as Caucasian/White.

By Babybird87 (Babybird87) on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 11:13 pm: Edit

No, does it? *snaps fingers* Why?? We're just as dark as the rest of em! =)

By Godis (Godis) on Friday, May 14, 2004 - 05:01 pm: Edit

you could always check other.

By Deerhunter (Deerhunter) on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 12:32 am: Edit

Yeah, I'm most likely going to choose "other."

Asians are technically a minority, but an overrepresented one. Also, I'm sure Jews aren't so rare at Columbia either.

By Deerhunter (Deerhunter) on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 09:04 pm: Edit

This is somewhat related.

According to the stereotype (which may not be true), Asians are generally considered to "better" in mathematics and science(I don't necessarily agree with this, but that's the stereotype).

Do you think an "asian" applying as an English major has any advantage in the admission process?

By Ripvak23 (Ripvak23) on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 10:53 pm: Edit

no, you are overthinking it and that is ridiculous. there is no advantage being asian just like there is no advantage being jewish in the admissions game, no matter what major you are applying for. columbia doesn't even allow you to declare a major-- actually called a concentration until after freshman year.

By Sj227 (Sj227) on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 09:51 am: Edit

how is arab caucasian/white? i always thought that referred to ppl from 'the west'--> europe + N. America? id say arab is asian.

deerhunter, see asian stereotypes thread in college admissions...i agree with ripvak that you're overthinking it...stick with other and if it says specify, then go for it.

By Edmoney (Edmoney) on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 10:58 pm: Edit

There's no advantage to being jewish anywhere (I'm a Jew, I can say this)

I'm also part Russian, so I marked "Asian" on my application.

By Deerhunter (Deerhunter) on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 11:30 pm: Edit

Yeah, I am overthinking it...

Edmoney: That's cool, I'm part Russian as well, but why did you mark "Asian?" Wouldn't "white" help you more? (I'm probably overthinking again) ;-)