Should my kid list that this grandparents are American Indian on his college application?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These days colleges are too savvy to buy the "I'm part Native American" argument from a kid whose application and transcript otherwise read "white".

I had a student who was part Native American and her activities reflected that it was an important part of her identity: she was registered with her tribe, danced at numerous pow wows every year, was an active member in Native youth groups, and belonged to a Christian church associated with Native Americans.

I've had other students who suddenly as HS seniors developed a sense of strong connection to the Cherokee great-great-grandmother (She was a princess!). I didn't hear of a single one being granted any FA connected to a tenuous at best Native American identity.

If your DC isn't registered with a tribe, don't bother.

Princess! Tee hee.

[Anonymous]

Don't listen to the crazies. If his grandparents are legit American Indians, he should list that. Should he lie about it? Of course not, ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Yes. List it. Why would you deny your heritage, great grandparents are from Spain... So my kids are part Hispanic and no they don't dance the flamingo dance.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if there is anywhere to "list" the ethnicity of one's grandparents on applications.

Are both grandparents full blood? If so, either you or dh are full blood. If he grandparents are just "part" Native American, then I'd skip it.

My great grandfather was full blooded Cherokee. I'm 1/8th Cherokee, have a noticably Cherokee last name, and I'm the whitest white girl ever. Blonde hair and freckles. I never even considered putting it on my applications because it was irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they citizens? Is he eligible for citizenship?

Oh, dear.

Native Americans are citizens of the country where they are born. If they are born in the US, they are citizens of the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they citizens? Is he eligible for citizenship?

Oh, dear.

Native Americans are citizens of the country where they are born. If they are born in the US, they are citizens of the US.

Citizen on the tribe, dingdong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. List it. Why would you deny your heritage, great grandparents are from Spain... So my kids are part Hispanic and no they don't dance the flamingo dance.

Ummm, you mean flamenco ?!

[Anonymous]

I doubt this kid is registered with any tribe. If he was, the dad would have a clue about the small extent to which colleges even care about documentable Native American ancestry.

If the kid really wants to explore his roots, there are several institutions in the Midwest and Southwest with large Native student bodies. He doesn't have to major in Native studies, simply joining the Native Student Union will be a start.

If he's a white kid hoping to land a scholarship with references to frybread, he should stop now before he embarrasses himself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. List it. Why would you deny your heritage, great grandparents are from Spain... So my kids are part Hispanic and no they don't dance the flamingo dance.

Ummm, you mean flamenco ?!

Ipad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. List it. Why would you deny your heritage, great grandparents are from Spain... So my kids are part Hispanic and no they don't dance the flamingo dance.

Ummm, you mean flamenco ?!

I can't wait until your kid's essay hits the admissions officer's desk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure if there is anywhere to "list" the ethnicity of one's grandparents on applications.

Are both grandparents full blood? If so, either you or dh are full blood. If he grandparents are just "part" Native American, then I'd skip it.

My great grandfather was full blooded Cherokee. I'm 1/8th Cherokee, have a noticably Cherokee last name, and I'm the whitest white girl ever. Blonde hair and freckles. I never even considered putting it on my applications because it was irrelevant.

I am also 1/8 Cherokee and I did not list anything. I never thought anyone would look at me and think, "She looks Cherokee," but a couple of months ago I spent a while in my home state and two people with whom I had random conversations mentioned they could tell, which I thought was neat.

[Anonymous]

In DC's high school it was considered OK to claim an ethnicity if at least one of the 4 grandparents was full-blooded in that ethnicity. So 1/2-blood grandparents (I.e, just 1 of the 8 great-grandparents) was considered too distant for a credible connection.

Bear in mind, though, that admissions officers can spot privilege combined with an attempt to play the race card from a mile away. So if your application is full of summers abroad and very little in the way of cultural affiliation with the race you claim, they aren't going to be impressed.

DC has some distant Cherokee blood from DH's side. She didn't claim it, because the connection was limited to visiting a reservation outside Asheville NC one summer. It wouldn't have been honest.

[Anonymous]

It's my understanding that college applications have a space for "Native American" designation; however, you will be immediately asked for a tribe number. If you are not registered with your tribe then you will not be able to claim this ethnicity. Also, if your child has no real connection, understanding or appreciation for the culture then they will come across as a trying to game the system…could hurt them in the long run.

If you're registered with your tribe then go for it. I would caution you to make sure your child is up on any facts and information about the tribe for any interviews that take place.

FYI - I believe it is Dartmouth that actually has in its original mission that is there to educate Native Americans. Therefore, they have the highest percentage of Native American students. Double check that its Dartmouth, though. I could be thinking of another school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure if there is anywhere to "list" the ethnicity of one's grandparents on applications.

Are both grandparents full blood? If so, either you or dh are full blood. If he grandparents are just "part" Native American, then I'd skip it.

My great grandfather was full blooded Cherokee. I'm 1/8th Cherokee, have a noticably Cherokee last name, and I'm the whitest white girl ever. Blonde hair and freckles. I never even considered putting it on my applications because it was irrelevant.

I am also 1/8 Cherokee and I did not list anything. I never thought anyone would look at me and think, "She looks Cherokee," but a couple of months ago I spent a while in my home state and two people with whom I had random conversations mentioned they could tell, which I thought was neat.

Was your great grandfather listed on a tribal registry or is it family folklore? Big difference. Your great grandfather has to be listed on a Cherokee roll.

The Dawes Rolls 1898-1914 - Western
The final roll of the western Cherokee. Allotment of Cherokee land to Cherokee individuals was based on this roll. Direct descendency from someone on this roll is required for tribal citizenship in the Cherokee Nation today

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure if there is anywhere to "list" the ethnicity of one's grandparents on applications.

Are both grandparents full blood? If so, either you or dh are full blood. If he grandparents are just "part" Native American, then I'd skip it.

My great grandfather was full blooded Cherokee. I'm 1/8th Cherokee, have a noticably Cherokee last name, and I'm the whitest white girl ever. Blonde hair and freckles. I never even considered putting it on my applications because it was irrelevant.

I am also 1/8 Cherokee and I did not list anything. I never thought anyone would look at me and think, "She looks Cherokee," but a couple of months ago I spent a while in my home state and two people with whom I had random conversations mentioned they could tell, which I thought was neat.

Was your great grandfather listed on a tribal registry or is it family folklore? Big difference. Your great grandfather has to be listed on a Cherokee roll.

The Dawes Rolls 1898-1914 - Western
The final roll of the western Cherokee. Allotment of Cherokee land to Cherokee individuals was based on this roll. Direct descendency from someone on this roll is required for tribal citizenship in the Cherokee Nation today

I forgot to add that Cherokees tribe does not require a specific blood quorum for membership, you must prove you are a direct descendent.