- Joined
- Dec 31, 2016
- Messages
- 231
- Reaction score
- 123
I have already applied to the Texas DSs through TMDSAS since I am currently stationed in the state and am technically a resident here since I never changed my LES etc. I am planning to apply through AADSAS this year once I complete the DAT (scheduled July 7th). I'm a re-applicant since I wasn't able to complete everything in 2017 and withdrew my materials from a few schools.
Last year I didn't mention my ethnic background because I just don't usually talk about it at all. It's sort of a weird topic and there are tons of misconceptions so I have found it's better just not to bring it up, plus culturally it's considered a non-starter with people outside the community/family. The old mindset is that don't talk about it with outsiders. Period. And if you use your background to make a buck (palm reading, tarot) you're trash.
So, both sides of my family are 3rd/4th generation Roma (aka Gypsies) and have been somewhat slow to assimilate even though our family has been in the US for something like 100 years now. I mean we all read and write and go to school, my mom went to college. In most respects we're just like every other family, with the exception of some cultural norms that are like really hard to justify or explain to others. Specifically the sense of family obligation and cohesion that we are taught from a very young age. I don't feel like I have been discriminated against here in the US (except for this one time in Florida) but I have a laundry list of parental expectations that I am doing my best to make good on that I don't think that most people have to deal with.
From a diversity stand point I'm Caucasian, and a fairly white looking one at that. My sister might look like Esmerelda, but I am a generic brunette. Is this something that I should mention in a revamped admissions essay, or somewhere in my application? Or is this too far from the mainstream to mention. I'm leaning towards completely staying away from it, but I wanted to get other opinions before I ruled it out.
Last year I didn't mention my ethnic background because I just don't usually talk about it at all. It's sort of a weird topic and there are tons of misconceptions so I have found it's better just not to bring it up, plus culturally it's considered a non-starter with people outside the community/family. The old mindset is that don't talk about it with outsiders. Period. And if you use your background to make a buck (palm reading, tarot) you're trash.
So, both sides of my family are 3rd/4th generation Roma (aka Gypsies) and have been somewhat slow to assimilate even though our family has been in the US for something like 100 years now. I mean we all read and write and go to school, my mom went to college. In most respects we're just like every other family, with the exception of some cultural norms that are like really hard to justify or explain to others. Specifically the sense of family obligation and cohesion that we are taught from a very young age. I don't feel like I have been discriminated against here in the US (except for this one time in Florida) but I have a laundry list of parental expectations that I am doing my best to make good on that I don't think that most people have to deal with.
From a diversity stand point I'm Caucasian, and a fairly white looking one at that. My sister might look like Esmerelda, but I am a generic brunette. Is this something that I should mention in a revamped admissions essay, or somewhere in my application? Or is this too far from the mainstream to mention. I'm leaning towards completely staying away from it, but I wanted to get other opinions before I ruled it out.
