I'm half black and half white, what should I do?

[Boredomkills]

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I'm fairly certain I would be considered a URM as I'm half black, right? However, should I check the "other" box or the AA box as that is what the general population sees me as being? I'm probably making a bigger deal out of this than I should be, but I'll most likely end up checking the AA box as I did when I applied for undergraduate studies unless this could lead to some problems.

 

[HakeeMD]

I'm fairly certain I would be considered a URM as I'm half black, right? However, should I check the "other" box or the AA box as that is what the general population sees me as being? I'm probably making a bigger deal out of this than I should be, but I'll most likely end up checking the AA box as I did when I applied for undergraduate studies unless this could lead to some problems.

You should choose the AA box since you fit into admissions committees' definition of URM.

 

[TriagePreMed]

The bigger question is if you consider yourself African-American. If you do, apply as one. There's no URM % requirement in the question.

 

[docelh]

The vast majority of African-Americans have some white ancestors.

 

[Boredomkills]

Thank you everyone for the help!

 

[BatemanMD]

I'm fairly certain I would be considered a URM as I'm half black, right? However, should I check the "other" box or the AA box as that is what the general population sees me as being? I'm probably making a bigger deal out of this than I should be, but I'll most likely end up checking the AA box as I did when I applied for undergraduate studies unless this could lead to some problems.

I am also of mixed black/white ancestry. The general consensus in my experience is that, unless you are unequivocally perceived as "white" by the vast majority of people, you default to being a person of color. Perhaps because of the fact that I was raised by a single, black mother, this would not be a question that I would ever ask myself. (I did not hesitate in the least bit to check only the AA box.) And even if you happen to feel culturally far-removed from your AA heritage, I am willing to bet that the vast majority of Americans would not make any such distinction:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-drop_rule

 

[Bigz]

I'm fairly certain I would be considered a URM as I'm half black, right? However, should I check the "other" box or the AA box as that is what the general population sees me as being? I'm probably making a bigger deal out of this than I should be, but I'll most likely end up checking the AA box as I did when I applied for undergraduate studies unless this could lead to some problems.

I think this is self reporting. So my question is do you feel other or African American/ Black.. Go with what you consider yourself.

 

[Maalik Ashtaar]

I'm fairly certain I would be considered a URM as I'm half black, right? However, should I check the "other" box or the AA box as that is what the general population sees me as being? I'm probably making a bigger deal out of this than I should be, but I'll most likely end up checking the AA box as I did when I applied for undergraduate studies unless this could lead to some problems.

wouldnt even be a question in my mind, like someone else said unless 90% of the ppl you know think you're white I'd go ahead and check AA

 

[HM3]

I am also of mixed black/white ancestry. The general consensus in my experience is that, unless you are unequivocally perceived as "white" by the vast majority of people, you default to being a person of color. Perhaps because of the fact that I was raised by a single, black mother, this would not be a question that I would ever ask myself. (I did not hesitate in the least bit to check only the AA box.) And even if you happen to feel culturally far-removed from your AA heritage, I am willing to bet that the vast majority of Americans would not make any such distinction:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-drop_rule

Very well put sir.

 

[Nymphicus]

You can check both boxes.