Medical Which ethnicity should I put on my application

[lord999]

I am 3/4 Indian and 1/4 Venezuelan by blood. However, I don't really look Venezuelan, if one can look like that. I'm afraid that if I go to my interviews, the adcom will just dismiss me if I mark down both in the AMCAS as a mixed ethnicity applicant. For reference, I speak Spanish and Hindi pretty well (Hindi better), and I grew up in kind of a weird Indian Venezuelan fusion, where we kind of bastardized Venezuelan dishes with Indian elements and vice versa, especially when my dad cooks. I associate with my Hispanic side, but def more with my Indian side. I just never fit in with the Latino student groups and such, even though I tried. I guess I always felt not Latino enough, and because both cultures are kinda strong, I just gravitated towards Indian culture more (I feel like if you are part white and Latino, you can more easily associate with Latino community because of how you look and just because white people in the US after 2 or 3 gens don't really have their own unique culture besides being American). Also, lots of my Indian relatives live in the USA, but basically none of my Venezuelan ones - another reason why I identify more as Indian. I have never met anyone with the same heritage as me - I only have it because my grandma came to India as a teacher and just never left. However, I have done lots of work with Latino communities and disadvantaged communities, both in the USA and abroad in Latin America. My dad has a Hispanic name (Roger), but I don't. I try to distinguish myself as both, and I always have, but I don't know how others feel about that. Any advice on what I should do?

You're overthinking this. Unless you're applying to a school with a completely absurd (and almost certainly racist criteria), we interview people not categories and that is not taken into consideration during that phase. Also, for US Census rules, your race is Asian American or mixed, but your ethnicity is Hispanic. It's a weird demarcation.

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[Mr.Smile12]

Yes you are overthinking this. In admissions we don't challenge you on your self-identified answers but we will ask to see how that identity can shape your worldview and perspective. From your answer, you have that adequately addressed.

I know a few Asian/Latinx students. It's surprising how our American perspective really doesn't allow us to believe Asian communities migrate to other parts of the world too. They also talk about their experience as an outsider to both communities. Believe me, you're good. Be yourself and honest.

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[Goro]

If you try to game the system by checking the box, Adcoms will see right through you.

Roger is not a Hispanic name, Rogelio is.

 

[Goro]

Isn't Rogelio just a name from that TV show Jane the Virgin? I didn't realize that was an actual name! Also, Roger for sure isn't Indian, so I just assumed it was Hispanic. My uncles name is Sergio, so I just thought my dad followed suit.

Also @Goro , how can I prove that I'm not gaming the system? What you've said here was my concern in the first place. I speak Spanish at least at a working proficiency, and have worked with Latin American people as a part of my research and service. I can talk about how my family likes to make arepas with parathas or how we include rice and beans with curry. I don't know how else to prove it.

Roger Moret - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Meaning, origin and history of the name Roger

The meaning, origin and history of the given name Roger

www.behindthename.com

Being 1/4 of anything just doesn't do it for me, in terms of ethnicity. I eat beans with curry too, and my family is from a country on the Asian continents, but nowhere near South Asia.

 

[gyngyn]

You may freely check any box, but screeners are aware that there is a perceived benefit to being "Hispanic."
Many applicants who would never identify themselves as Latino in any other context will therefore do so on an AMCAS application.
South Americans are not generally recognized as under-represented in medicine, though language proficiency is always welcome.