Does race really matter?

Coltron

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2013
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87
Hi all!:smile:

So here is the situation. I know that the admissions process puts preference towards minorities for "diversity" as they legally need to fill a certain number of spots for minorities, women, etc. On my application I put down that I am non-Hispanic and white, as I really wasn't thinking it would matter at the time. However, I am a quarter Hispanic. Would it help to change this in my application to increase my chances, or does it even count? Also, if I did change it in my application, would the admissions office look at that with suspicion and wonder why I didn't just put that down in the first place? :confused::confused: I'm really stumped on this one. Any help would be appreciated!
 
When filling out the application, it is important to be upfront. West Point, much like many other institutions of higher learning, is looking for a diverse group of individuals to fill the ranks of their incoming class. If you identify yourself as hispanic then put yourself as being hispanic; otherwise, you need not mention it. I do not think that the admissions committee would look at this with suspicion or even give it a second thought if you felt that you wanted to change it.
 
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Phil, thanks for your input. It's not that I wasn't upfront. I'm only 1/4 Hispanic, and I didn't think it would be a factor, so I didn't list it. I see what you're saying though. Does anyone else have any input on the issue?

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I am not under representing you being Hispanic but does being a 1/4 of a specific race really classify you as a minority when you are 3/4 Caucasian?
 
Yes, I agree. That's why I asked if it would even count, the fact that I am only 1/4 Hispanic. What percentage of a race constitutes minority status? I realize that question can probably spark a heated debate and is more of a rhetorical question.
 
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Race to be first...

Try to contact your RC to make the correction.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Your race is what you identify as, not some magical percentage that qualifies you. For instance, if you are half Korean and half black you could put Unknown, Other, Asian, or Black as your race. The choice is yours, but realize that there is no magic number of spots reserved for each group so you really can't game the system.
 
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