Am I URM? (Serious)

[Brandon M.]

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Hello,
On applications I've always checked off "Two or more races" and also Hispanic. Idk if this is correct? I've taken a DNA test and came back with white, asian, and spanish (iberian peninsula). I have verified this with my grandparents. Am I considered URM? I'm really confused.

 

[TragicalDrFaust]

Based on your ethnic background no, but there are complexities that aren’t captured by race alone. Asians are considered over represented but there are some backgrounds and subgroups that are certainly underrepresented. For example I don’t meet too many Philippino or Cambodian doctors.

Spanish is complicated because there is Spanish heritage in colonized regions. Many of those colonized countries are underrepresented in the professional class from generations of systematic oppression. But a colonizing country likely wouldn’t be under represented.

Do you feel that your background or your appearance have created challenges that a white American doesn’t contend with?

That being said, no one is going to call you on it as long as you don’t look white and we are supposed to have done away with race-conscious admissions (not that I agree or disagree, just a fact) so this is likely a moot point.

 

[Brandon M.]

Are your grandparents from Spain or Latin America? I for one would find it a bit odd if someone with Spanish heritage would mark themselves URM.

One might argue that if you have to ask your grandparents if you are truly hispanic, you already have your answer.

Curious to hear what other people here think. I’m sure there are people with better insight on this issue than me.

Hello! Yes, I’ve verified with my grandparents about my Spanish ancestry and apparently my great grandmother on my grandpa’s side is from there. And then I have some Spanish roots from my grandma’s side as well.

 

[Brandon M.]

Based on your ethnic background no, but there are complexities that aren’t captured by race alone. Asians are considered over represented but there are some backgrounds and subgroups that are certainly underrepresented. For example I don’t meet too many Philippino or Cambodian doctors.

Spanish is complicated because there is Spanish heritage in colonized regions. Many of those colonized countries are underrepresented in the professional class from generations of systematic oppression. But a colonizing country likely wouldn’t be under represented.

Do you feel that your background or your appearance have created challenges that a white American doesn’t contend with?

That being said, no one is going to call you on it as long as you don’t look white and we are supposed to have done away with race-conscious admissions (not that I agree or disagree, just a fact) so this is likely a moot point.

Wow, thank you for the amazing reply! The Asian part of me is in fact Filipino. I’ll just leave the answer as “no” for URM.

 

[Goro]

Hello! Yes, I’ve verified with my grandparents about my Spanish ancestry and apparently my great grandmother on my grandpa’s side is from there. And then I have some Spanish roots from my grandma’s side as well.

No, you're not URM

 

[Mr.Smile12]

A Brief Break Down of Hispanic vs. Latino vs. Spanish

Here's what each term means.

www.goodhousekeeping.com

 

[Brandon M.]

No, you're not URM

Thank you so much for the clarifying answer! I was actually confused.