Is Arab American POC? Does it help for admissions?

[Anonymous]

Hello, I'm new to the college process and my kid has done most of the work on her own. I was wondering if Arab American is something that helps or hurts when it comes to admission at selective schools? Her school counselor seems to think it makes her a better candidate at some of the elite schools, but I'm not so sure. Does anyone have a thought? Thank you so much.

[Anonymous]

No. Census categories it as “white”

[Anonymous]

I don't know if this is the same thing, but middle eastern is a subset under white in the federal race categories used in the Common App. If that applies, then no.

[Anonymous]

I’m MENA (middle eastern, northern African), ex-husband is white, and my daughter put down she is white and not mixed race as middle eastern is considered white on census forms. She feels very strongly that she’s middle eastern, but until racial definitions change, it’s not right to say you’re anything but white. Don’t think being middle eastern helps.

[Anonymous]

I understand that the census and official stats do not classify MENA people as POC, but my question is about the more selective schools, as they try to build a class. As I mentioned, the college counselor at our school says it helps for "diversity" but I've also felt like it's not the kind of diversity some of these schools are looking for anyway

[Anonymous]

I was very surprised that a Sudanese student was marked white. I’m about 70% African Ancestry and pretty good at recognizing part Black facial features and hair texture. I’m not sure if the identification was intentional or accidental.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was very surprised that a Sudanese student was marked white. I’m about 70% African Ancestry and pretty good at recognizing part Black facial features and hair texture. I’m not sure if the identification was intentional or accidental.

Who marked this student as white?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was very surprised that a Sudanese student was marked white. I’m about 70% African Ancestry and pretty good at recognizing part Black facial features and hair texture. I’m not sure if the identification was intentional or accidental.

Who marked this student as white?

Unclear. Families are supposed to pick. If they do not, the registrar can pick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello, I'm new to the college process and my kid has done most of the work on her own. I was wondering if Arab American is something that helps or hurts when it comes to admission at selective schools? Her school counselor seems to think it makes her a better candidate at some of the elite schools, but I'm not so sure. Does anyone have a thought? Thank you so much.

A compelling story to go with that heritage might be helpful. Like if it was discussed on one of her essays.. Alone I don't think it would make too much of a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello, I'm new to the college process and my kid has done most of the work on her own. I was wondering if Arab American is something that helps or hurts when it comes to admission at selective schools? Her school counselor seems to think it makes her a better candidate at some of the elite schools, but I'm not so sure. Does anyone have a thought? Thank you so much.

A compelling story to go with that heritage might be helpful. Like if it was discussed on one of her essays.. Alone I don't think it would make too much of a difference.

I would definitely say something in an essay. Even just a one-word mention of it will actually be helpful in the college getting a sense of who the applicant is and I can’t imagine the college wouldn’t find that cultural diversity as a good thing.

[Anonymous]

I think you should flag it somewhere. Maybe “other?” I don’t think Arab Americans consider themselves white, right? And most white people don’t consider arab Americans white.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m MENA (middle eastern, northern African), ex-husband is white, and my daughter put down she is white and not mixed race as middle eastern is considered white on census forms. She feels very strongly that she’s middle eastern, but until racial definitions change, it’s not right to say you’re anything but white. Don’t think being middle eastern helps.

In your situation, I’d call her AA if your husband is from North Africa- it’s absolutely an accurate term for the offspring of someone born in Africa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was very surprised that a Sudanese student was marked white. I’m about 70% African Ancestry and pretty good at recognizing part Black facial features and hair texture. I’m not sure if the identification was intentional or accidental.

Who marked this student as white?

Unclear. Families are supposed to pick. If they do not, the registrar can pick.

False. Schools are not allowed to do that.

[Anonymous]

Is her name Arab sounding? If so, that might help. My dd wrote about the Egyptian Revolution in 2011 and how she was there for it as a kid. Have no idea if it made a difference but she was accepted to every college she applied to.

[Anonymous]

It helps, especially if you have some sort of struggling or other type of introspective essay to write about it.