Someone help me figure out my "race", "ethnicity" please?

[thisiswilde]

This is something that has always confused me actually, especially since I am from mixed heritage.

So, my dad is from the Middle East and I speak some Arabic at home. We eat middle eastern food and I identify culturally with that country.

My mom is Asian but her grandparents were from Spain. I am confused about what "hispanic" means. I was told that it means if one or more maternal grandparent is hispanic, then you are hispanic. but, i don't speak spanish at home or celebrate any of those holidays.

I am confused. Am I white/Asian?? Or can I put down hispanic? I've been trying to look it up but still have no answers.

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[Ursa]

This is something that has always confused me actually, especially since I am from mixed heritage.

So, my dad is from the Middle East and I speak some Arabic at home. We eat middle eastern food and I identify culturally with that country.

My mom is Asian (Philippines) but her grandparents were from Spain. I am confused about what "hispanic" means. I was told that it means if one or more maternal grandparent is hispanic, then you are hispanic. but, i don't speak spanish at home or celebrate any of those holidays.

I am confused. Am I white/Asian?? Or can I put down hispanic? I've been trying to look it up but still have no answers.

Are you like chocolate milk, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or Samuel Jackson?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

This is something that has always confused me actually, especially since I am from mixed heritage.

So, my dad is from the Middle East and I speak some Arabic at home. We eat middle eastern food and I identify culturally with that country.

My mom is Asian (Philippines) but her grandparents were from Spain. I am confused about what "hispanic" means. I was told that it means if one or more maternal grandparent is hispanic, then you are hispanic. but, i don't speak spanish at home or celebrate any of those holidays.

I am confused. Am I white/Asian?? Or can I put down hispanic? I've been trying to look it up but still have no answers.

/thread

 

[thisiswilde]

Ummm I look like Mediterranean? Dark hair, dark eyes, medium skin tone. I've been told I look like a Kardashian or Vanessa Hudgens (back when high school musical was big)

 

[Druggernaut]

"The U.S. Office of Management and Budget currently defines "Hispanic or Latino" as "a person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race".[26] The U.S. Department of Transportation defines Hispanic to include, "persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Central or South American, or others Spanish or Portuguese culture or origin, regardless of race."[27] This definition has been adopted by the Small Business Administration as well as many federal, state, and municipal agencies for the purposes of awarding government contracts to minority owned businesses. Still, other government agencies adopt definitions that exclude people from Spain, since there is a distinct ethnic difference (indigenous American or European American). Some others include people from Brazil, but not Spain or Portugal. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission encourages any individual who believes that he or she is Hispanic according to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget definition (any Spanish culture or origin) to self-identify as Hispanic.[28] The United States Department of Labor - Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs encourages the same self-identification.[29] As a result, any individual who traces his or her origins to part of the Spanish Empire may self-identify as Hispanic, because an employer may not override an individual's self-identification." -wikipedia

Call yourself what you want, it sounds like you're probably covered either way. You might get some strange reactions from interviewers, though.

 

[flatearth22]

What's your MCAT and GPA? Applying as Hispanic is a big advantage and you should use it. Applying as Asian is a big disadvantage and you should not use it.

If you apply Asian - https://www.aamc.org/download/157598/data/table25-a-mcatgpa-grid-asian-0810.pdf.pdf

If you apply Hispanic - https://www.aamc.org/download/157948/data/table25-h-mcatgpa-grid-hisp-0810.pdf.pdf

I think you know which one to pick....

 

[MeowMeowCAT]

Pick which ever is more likely to be a plus on your application, basically whichever has the most history in terms of racism, discrimination, etc. Obviously you will not be able to choose black, so look for anything second to that that still applies to you.

Basically, not being white can play in your favor, pick the right race and you might get the extra push in acceptance.

 

[Web MD]

That's not ****ing helpful notorious bacon👎

 

[flatearth22]

Hi, I was wondering if instead of applying to the Canadian matching service and the NRMP, Can I just apply to the NRMP?

I am a Canadian Citizen and plan to go to a Canadian Medical School. But I plan to live and work in the USA. From what I hear, If you apply to both, you are expected to choose the Canadian program first. So Can I only apply to the NRMP even if I am a Canadian?

 

[thisiswilde]

So then I AM allowed to apply as Hispanic? I would be more hispanic by blood than anything else. Is that "allowed"? I don't want to walk into interviews and have them think i'm a liar because i don't speak spanish at home or eat spanish food haha

 

[MeowMeowCAT]

So then I AM allowed to apply as Hispanic? I would be more hispanic by blood than anything else. Is that "allowed"? I don't want to walk into interviews and have them think i'm a liar because i don't speak spanish at home or eat spanish food haha

The race you pick doesn't mean you have to know the language.

 

[flatearth22]

So then I AM allowed to apply as Hispanic? I would be more hispanic by blood than anything else. Is that "allowed"? I don't want to walk into interviews and have them think i'm a liar because i don't speak spanish at home or eat spanish food haha

It has nothing to do with what you speak and what you eat. My ex-girlfriend was Vietnamese but her last name was American because both of her parents were adopted and they didn't speak in Vietnamese at all and never ate Vietnamese food at home. For all intents and purposes she was white. But you bet she suffered like the rest of us Asians when she ticked/will tick the "Asian" box on her college/grad school/professional school application

 

[RogueUnicorn]

So then I AM allowed to apply as Hispanic? I would be more hispanic by blood than anything else. Is that "allowed"? I don't want to walk into interviews and have them think i'm a liar because i don't speak spanish at home or eat spanish food haha

they probably will.

 

[V5RED]

So then I AM allowed to apply as Hispanic? I would be more hispanic by blood than anything else. Is that "allowed"? I don't want to walk into interviews and have them think i'm a liar because i don't speak spanish at home or eat spanish food haha

How does Middle East(Asia) + Phillipines(Asia) = Hispanic blood in your mind?

You are not Hispanic at all.

You are Asian.

 

[nheit]

Honestly, it's what you identify yourself as, but you are not "Hispanic" in my opinion. That term is really only used for people of the Americas as that definition was posted earlier in this thread. Even if both your parents were from Spain, you would be Spanish, not Hispanic. I would say you have mixed Middle Eastern and Asian heritage, and if you were to say that you were Hispanic and don't look like it at all, it might raise some eyebrows at your interviews.

 

[thisiswilde]

How does Middle East(Asia) + Phillipines(Asia) = Hispanic blood in your mind?

You are not Hispanic at all.

You are Asian.

I said my mom's grandparents are Spanish

 

[RogueUnicorn]

spanish != hispanic

 

[thisiswilde]

I think I will just stick with Middle Eastern then, which I think would go under "other". Thanks!

 

[fourcredits]

If you put down Hispanic, people will wonder what else you have misrepresented. You might as well say goodbye to getting into medical school.

 

[thisiswilde]

If you put down Hispanic, people will wonder what else you have misrepresented. You might as well say goodbye to getting into medical school.

I'm not trying to misrepresent myself...I said I was genuinely confused on what is counted as "hispanic" and what isn't.

 

[KickStart]

Go ask the Registrar what you put down when you applied to your undergrad.

/thread.

 

[Greenz]

Please Google "Race and Nationality Descriptions from the 2000 Census and Bureau of Vital Statistics" for reference.

As arbitrary as race & ethnicity classifications may seem there are guidelines.

Middle Eastern = White
Filipino = Asian

Therefore you can select any or all of the following options: White, Asian, or Mixed Race (if that is an option).

While it may seem confusing or unfair you are not Hispanic and to mark Hispanic would make you appear either dishonest or ignorant.

Good luck with the application!

 

[somepremedkid]

You could leave this part of the application blank.

 

[flatearth22]

Please Google "Race and Nationality Descriptions from the 2000 Census and Bureau of Vital Statistics" for reference.

As arbitrary as race & ethnicity classifications may seem there are guidelines.

Middle Eastern = White
Filipino = Asian

Therefore you can select any or all of the following options: White, Asian, or Mixed Race (if that is an option).

While it may seem confusing or unfair you are not Hispanic and to mark Hispanic would make you appear either dishonest or ignorant.

Good luck with the application!

Strong first post

 

[thisiswilde]

I am half Brazilian and I look like every other white girl. My relatives in Brazil are also fair skinned.

I absolutely hate how people never believe me when I say I am Hispanic. I am not looking forward to interviews, where I am going to get quizzical looks. I am seriously considering not putting that I am Hispanic.

I don't think it all depends on what you look like. I have a friend in medical school now, whose family is from Mexico. His family has French descent, and he is very fair skinned and doesn't look "hispanic". He speaks spanish and grew up in mexico. No one questioned whether he was hispanic or not just because he looks white.

 

[Doc of the Walk]

You could leave this part of the application blank.

/thread


I mean hey, I'm half African-American, half Filipino. Thankfully, all of the apps I have filled out usually have bi-racial option, though I'll probably just put African-American for the AMCAS

 

[thisiswilde]

Please Google "Race and Nationality Descriptions from the 2000 Census and Bureau of Vital Statistics" for reference.

As arbitrary as race & ethnicity classifications may seem there are guidelines.

Middle Eastern = White
Filipino = Asian

Therefore you can select any or all of the following options: White, Asian, or Mixed Race (if that is an option).

While it may seem confusing or unfair you are not Hispanic and to mark Hispanic would make you appear either dishonest or ignorant.

Good luck with the application!

For the last time, my mom has spanish descent, which is why I was questioning. Her father, and grandparents are spanish.

 

[Greenz]

Sorry my final comments on this issue but 2 things in response to Strangers post:

1) Anyone who doubts the authenticity of someone's claim to being Hispanic due to "white"-ness clearly has not traveled. Due to Spanish influence there are many people through out Mexico, Central American and most notably South America that have fair skin not to mention blonde hair and blue eyes. In fact Hispanic (by the US gov at least) is an ethnic categorization. Racially Hispanics are in fact white.

2) Self-identify or classify your race/eth however you feel is appropriate. But just for your information Brazilians aren't typically considered Hispanic. However, the broader term Latino can include Brazilians. Please see below for the categories the US Census typically regards are Hispanic. Source: http://factfinder.census.gov/home/en/epss/glossary_s.html#spanish_hispanic_latino
Spanish/Hispanic/Latino people may be of any race. Listed below are the 28 Hispanic or Latino categories displayed in Census 2000 tabulations:
Mexican
Puerto Rican
Cuban
Dominican Republic
Central American:
Costa Rican
Guatemalan
Honduran
Nicaraguan
Panamanian
Salvadoran
Other Central American
South American:
Argentinian
Bolivian
Chilean
Colombian
Ecuadorian
Paraguayan
Peruvian
Uruguayan
Venezuelan
Other South American
Other Hispanic or Latino:
Spaniard
Spanish
Spanish American
All other Hispanic or Latino

 

[flatearth22]

/thread


I mean hey, I'm half African-American, half Filipino. Thankfully, all of the apps I have filled out usually have bi-racial option, though I'll probably just put African-American for the AMCAS

If you put Asian on there I think it would be awesome (even more awesome if you had a twin brother with identical stats who put black)

 

[thelens]

The New York Times just did a fairly interesting article on this issue:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/us/14admissions.html?pagewanted=1

It's with respect to undergraduate schools, but it still applies. I think the take away message is that, yes, your race can effect your chances in a competitive program where more than enough applicants are qualified (duh) but admissions comittees are becoming quite wary of people who put down an ethnicity they don't have a connection to.

The main line of advice is to answer honestly. Whatever you consider yourself as - whatever you identify with - that's what you should put down. Doing otherwise will likely come across negatively once you get there to interview. As your Spanish/Hispanic heritage isn't emphasized at home, I wouldn't put it. And from what I've read, whether or not you put down Asian as well as Middle Eastern is your choice.

 

[waterpolo480586]

I really do not think it matters what ethnicity the OP lists. To get the benefit of being an underrepresented minority you have to have grown up in that culture. Yes, the original poster is Hispanic but if they have not had any experiences that relate them to "disadvantaged" ethnicities, then it will really not help them that much in the process. OP put down whatever you feel most comfortable with as I think it will make absolutely no difference.

 

[dbeast]

This is something that has always confused me actually, especially since I am from mixed heritage.

So, my dad is from the Middle East and I speak some Arabic at home. We eat middle eastern food and I identify culturally with that country.

My mom is Asian (Philippines) but her grandparents were from Spain. I am confused about what "hispanic" means. I was told that it means if one or more maternal grandparent is hispanic, then you are hispanic. but, i don't speak spanish at home or celebrate any of those holidays.

I am confused. Am I white/Asian?? Or can I put down hispanic? I've been trying to look it up but still have no answers.

This settles it as far as I'm concerned. You're Middle-Eastern.

 

[fourcredits]

OP, you are a human being, regardless of what race you are. You could put down bi-racial, that would be honest. If you put down anything else, it will have credibility problems.

In general, if anyone WONDERS or has to ASK, if they can put down race X, then the answer is NO, you are not of that race. If you were of that race, you wouldn't be wondering nor would you need to ask.

I don't like the topic of race, so I won't be following this thread. If anyone needs to correspond, message me.

 

[Greenz]

Given your clarification of my statement, I have to agree with Waterpolo at this point. If you want to fully represent your background the AMCAS allows you to select Hispanic, White and Asian (specifying Filipino). And as you've stated given your 1/4 Spanish heritage you have the right to do so. Do what makes you happy.

The reality (as others have said) given the highly personalized med school process is that it will unlikely confer any advantage. But since most people are aware of the Spanish influence in the Phillipines I doubt a selection of Spanish/Hispanic/etc will be all that questionable.

I work in research and we frequently see people check "Other Hispanic" for eth and write in Filipino. The reality is that we count them as Asian. It really doesn't matter what you put and you can legitimize your selections if need be.

Best of luck!

 

[chopes31]

This settles it as far as I'm concerned. You're Middle-Eastern.

Agreed. But IMO you can technically (legally?) put Hispanic.

 

[MeowMeowCAT]

I wish race was not even an option and or issue. If you really want to worry about the race of an applicant, invite them over for an interview and see for yourself. It's tiring to know that even with all the equality we are promised, our race is still a statistic rather than something we are born with.

 

[Doc of the Walk]

If you put Asian on there I think it would be awesome (even more awesome if you had a twin brother with identical stats who put black)[/QU


Haha it would be, I'd certainly get some strange looks from the interviewers. But I'm trying to get into med school, so I'll every advantage I can get, being URM is definitely one of them

 

[Ursa]

Are you just fishing for someone to tell you its ok that you put down one of the biggest URM groups? Sounds like you already have your mind made up to me.

 

[Swiss Medical]

This is something that has always confused me actually, especially since I am from mixed heritage.

So, my dad is from the Middle East and I speak some Arabic at home. We eat middle eastern food and I identify culturally with that country.

My mom is Asian (Philippines) but her grandparents were from Spain. I am confused about what "hispanic" means. I was told that it means if one or more maternal grandparent is hispanic, then you are hispanic. but, i don't speak spanish at home or celebrate any of those holidays.

I am confused. Am I white/Asian?? Or can I put down hispanic? I've been trying to look it up but still have no answers.

Urawhiteboy?

 

[Narmerguy]

What's amusing is that in any other public setting figuring out one's race/ethnicity is a pretty straightforward affair. Somehow people consistently seem to struggle on SDN. I feel sadness for the numerous people that have gone 21+ years struggling to answer this question.

 

[Web MD]

You're American, because this is America.

 

[Swiss Medical]

What's amusing is that in any other public setting figuring out one's race/ethnicity is a pretty straightforward affair. Somehow people consistently seem to struggle on SDN. I feel sadness for the numerous people that have gone 21+ years struggling to answer this question.

Hmmm...Come to think of it, I am not too sure of mine either. Expect a thread in the near furute.

 

[MrLahey]

This is something that has always confused me actually, especially since I am from mixed heritage.

So, my dad is from the Middle East and I speak some Arabic at home. We eat middle eastern food and I identify culturally with that country.

My mom is Asian (Philippines) but her grandparents were from Spain. I am confused about what "hispanic" means. I was told that it means if one or more maternal grandparent is hispanic, then you are hispanic. but, i don't speak spanish at home or celebrate any of those holidays.

I am confused. Am I white/Asian?? Or can I put down hispanic? I've been trying to look it up but still have no answers.

Middle Eastern Does not count...unless you where from a really small middle eastern country....Most Middle Easterners are considered Caucasian

 

[ridethecliche]

What's amusing is that in any other public setting figuring out one's race/ethnicity is a pretty straightforward affair. Somehow people consistently seem to struggle on SDN. I feel sadness for the numerous people that have gone 21+ years struggling to answer this question.

Your post belies your ignorance.

Are you saying that race/ethnicity are identities that are fixed? Just because the government/AAMC has a definition for what race is doesn't necessarily means that people feel like they could or should put themselves into that hole.

Identity is really really really complex.

 

[Avoidthetiger]

I'm honestly surprised that the Filipinos are not consider Hispanic in most US definitions. People shouldn't just assume its citizens are "Asian" for being so close to Asia. Tagalog is super-spanish influenced language and it was a Spanish colony for a long time. OP - you shouldn't be surprised that your grandmother is from spain originally; I'm sure lots of your ancestors are as the Philippines. This Philippines have been heavily influenced by Spain.... just like most of the countries in Central and South America. So really mark down on the AMCAS whatever you want. You just aren't URM.

 

[Avoidthetiger]

Your post belies your ignorance.

Are you saying that race/ethnicity are identities that are fixed? Just because the government/AAMC has a definition for what race is doesn't necessarily means that people feel like they could or should put themselves into that hole.

Identity is really really really complex.

+1. I'm white as it comes... and even I get confused.

 

[ridethecliche]

+1. I'm white as it comes... and even I get confused.

I mean, I don't know if you're poking fun at me, but regardless...

I'm an indian immigrant, but I'm from north india so I'm pretty light skinned but don't have Caucasian features. I don't take offense to people's inquiring questions about race because I know everyone is thinking that as well, so I have no qualms entertaining.

That said, I don't think I'm culturally Indian. Why? Because while I do buy into many of the belief systems, I'm not religious. Hinduism is a big part of being indian so I don't 'fit in' that way (tear tear).

I'm light skinned and I was once asked on a date if I was really Indian. I thought it was hilarious, but found out that most of her indian friends are south indian and she's from a part of the US that had an indian population of all of, well, no one so I was glad she was asking.

What do you tell one of my friends that grew up pretty much in the ghetto with black friends his entire life? His friend group in college was mostly black and hispanic as well and his girlfriend was black. So what was his identity wrapped in with? I can assure you that it wasn't the mix of white collar preps in my UG institution. While he was white in skin, I don't think his identity was white.

Maybe it's my liberal arts education, but I really think that trying to simplify race and identity are really attempts to meet quotas and not attempts to actually consider race. (Hint: that last bit was not a rant against affirmative action.)

The most Indian I've ever felt was after 9/11 because I was singled out again and again and again. Apparently it was my uncle that was killed in that raid in Pakistan a few weeks ago. I'm sure that half my High School still believes that and I couldn't care less.

 

[thisiswilde]

Are you just fishing for someone to tell you its ok that you put down one of the biggest URM groups? Sounds like you already have your mind made up to me.

No...as stated before, I was confused as to what to put down. I've decided not to classify myself as hispanic. I already said this.

 

[MrLahey]

The most Indian I've ever felt was after 9/11 because I was singled out again and again and again. Apparently it was my uncle that was killed in that raid in Pakistan a few weeks ago. I'm sure that half my High School still believes that and I couldn't care less.

I'm half Lebanese and I feel you on this one man. I look like a white boy but I still got the racism after 9/11

 

[Narmerguy]

Your post belies your ignorance.

Are you saying that race/ethnicity are identities that are fixed? Just because the government/AAMC has a definition for what race is doesn't necessarily means that people feel like they could or should put themselves into that hole.

Identity is really really really complex.

Please don't pretend you know anything about my background or training. I've studied probably more about race and ethnicity than the vast majority of posters on this forum.

My point is not that they are fixed but that medical school applications are very unlikely to be the first instance where an individual has been faced with this decision. Virtually every college application, census, and standardized test requests this information. When you apply for citizenship, it requests this information. It is collected for jobs, for scholarships, and for various government documents.

My point isn't that the lines for these things are murky, but that the vast majority of us that aren't cut and dry became familiar with that at an earlier age and subscribed to some method of dealing with it. Now that it seems possible an edge can be won/lost depending on what approach we take, it would seem that people are "confused" again.