Something similar happened to my daughter, but in college. She applied to an internship at a government agency. The recruiters called her and asked if she would consider changing to a "fellowship" instead of the internship - for minority women. She is white. She immediately told them that she was white and that she didn't want to misrepresent herself, but they assured her it was ok because she attends a MSI - Minority Serving Institution. Meaning, she doesn't have to actually be a minority, she just has to be a student at an MSI to qualify.

She wound up not getting the position, but the recruiters were very open and up-front about the fact that her actual race was not the qualifier. We found it a bit bizarre, but it certainly wasn't her fault.

The applications are still being read by humans and universities desperately want diverse student bodies (I.e minorities). Aren't they now simply reading essays, extracurricular lists, etc with an eye for race (since there is no longer race box?)

When it comes down to it, they can read an application and put it in the yes" pile for any reason they want. There is no one coming behind then saying "I know you didn't choose this kid because he did model UN and worked
at a summer camp for 4 years. you chose him because he's black! caught you!"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:URM favoritism is banned, so a moot point anyways.

Wrong. It is banned based on race alone. Race as part of the lived experience is - permissible thing to consider.

That sounds like a huge bonus for Asians

Anonymous wrote:URM favoritism is banned, so a moot point anyways.

Wrong. It is banned based on race alone. Race as part of the lived experience is - permissible thing to consider.

URM favoritism is banned, so a moot point anyways.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People: this is what OP is asking:

Do you think this could go wrong or help her college applications?

OP is not asking if it is dishonest or if she should retitle it.

No it can't go wrong. But it should be described in a way that does not mislead about her race.

Let's get real. For a URM, the program title has signaling value to get admitted. URMs are told to include these items. For all candidates, the name of the employer and having a corporate internship is the most impactful part of this. Not the program name.

People modify/translate job titles on their resume all the time. For example, "Marine Biology Intern" instead of "Sealife Technician 1". Weird job titles are a burden when applying and interviewing. Some license is fine as long as you don't misstate your level (people from one of my employers often lie about being a manager when they were not). I view this program name question as the same thing. I'd go with the original program name. If anything, as mentioned above, the race-based programs are under pressure now. It may also be renamed by next year. That also happens...programs, colleges, even employers get renamed. And then you have to decide whether to be literal or translate.

The purpose of the SCT case was that race alone should not give an applicant an edge. So, she should put the name of the program down.

Yes, that's the most cynical take. But some of us are ok with affirmative action even if we are not personally advantaged. And as you know these little clues are supposed to support a holistic picture along with essays and other material. Also, I'd never want someone to accuse my child of misleading anyone to get an advantages. Honesty is more important than getting into an Ivy or the very best school possible. I'm a big believer in going where you're wanted.

Huh? Isn’t the cynical take that you don’t put the name down because AOs will otherwise ignore the SCT ruling and give an unwarranted boost to the app? My suggestion wasn’t cynical bc I had faith in the AOs. You do not.

Do the internship, but avoid deception on how you report the experience in college applications.

Of course she shouldn’t give up a prestigious internship because its administration is being merged with a program for URM. It’s still basically the same opportunity ands she still had to interview and compete for it? And could get valuable experience and connections? So no, she doesn’t give it up because the company reorganized their internships. That’s not her fault. And it doesn’t make her less worth of the experience.

But, she should word it so it’s not deceptive on the application. First of all, because that’s the honest thing to do and character matters. And secondly because, sure, admissions are allegedly race blind now. But the emphasis is on allegedly. If the college reads the application, believes she is a URM, and then she does something like interview and it’s apparent she’s not Black, it could call her character into question.

So be honest in the listing: “completed Women in Business Internship at Goggle (please note this program was merged with the Black Women in STEM Internship at Google for summer 2024 and may appear under that name).

Done.

And congrats to your kid. I hope it’s a great opportunity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People: this is what OP is asking:

Do you think this could go wrong or help her college applications?

OP is not asking if it is dishonest or if she should retitle it.

No it can't go wrong. But it should be described in a way that does not mislead about her race.

Let's get real. For a URM, the program title has signaling value to get admitted. URMs are told to include these items. For all candidates, the name of the employer and having a corporate internship is the most impactful part of this. Not the program name.

People modify/translate job titles on their resume all the time. For example, "Marine Biology Intern" instead of "Sealife Technician 1". Weird job titles are a burden when applying and interviewing. Some license is fine as long as you don't misstate your level (people from one of my employers often lie about being a manager when they were not). I view this program name question as the same thing. I'd go with the original program name. If anything, as mentioned above, the race-based programs are under pressure now. It may also be renamed by next year. That also happens...programs, colleges, even employers get renamed. And then you have to decide whether to be literal or translate.

The purpose of the SCT case was that race alone should not give an applicant an edge. So, she should put the name of the program down.

Yes, that's the most cynical take. But some of us are ok with affirmative action even if we are not personally advantaged. And as you know these little clues are supposed to support a holistic picture along with essays and other material. Also, I'd never want someone to accuse my child of misleading anyone to get an advantages. Honesty is more important than getting into an Ivy or the very best school possible. I'm a big believer in going where you're wanted.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People: this is what OP is asking:

Do you think this could go wrong or help her college applications?

OP is not asking if it is dishonest or if she should retitle it.

No it can't go wrong. But it should be described in a way that does not mislead about her race.

Let's get real. For a URM, the program title has signaling value to get admitted. URMs are told to include these items. For all candidates, the name of the employer and having a corporate internship is the most impactful part of this. Not the program name.

People modify/translate job titles on their resume all the time. For example, "Marine Biology Intern" instead of "Sealife Technician 1". Weird job titles are a burden when applying and interviewing. Some license is fine as long as you don't misstate your level (people from one of my employers often lie about being a manager when they were not). I view this program name question as the same thing. I'd go with the original program name. If anything, as mentioned above, the race-based programs are under pressure now. It may also be renamed by next year. That also happens...programs, colleges, even employers get renamed. And then you have to decide whether to be literal or translate.

The purpose of the SCT case was that race alone should not give an applicant an edge. So, she should put the name of the program down.

Anonymous wrote:People: this is what OP is asking:

Do you think this could go wrong or help her college applications?

OP is not asking if it is dishonest or if she should retitle it.

No it can't go wrong. But it should be described in a way that does not mislead about her race.

Let's get real. For a URM, the program title has signaling value to get admitted. URMs are told to include these items. For all candidates, the name of the employer and having a corporate internship is the most impactful part of this. Not the program name.

People modify/translate job titles on their resume all the time. For example, "Marine Biology Intern" instead of "Sealife Technician 1". Weird job titles are a burden when applying and interviewing. Some license is fine as long as you don't misstate your level (people from one of my employers often lie about being a manager when they were not). I view this program name question as the same thing. I'd go with the original program name. If anything, as mentioned above, the race-based programs are under pressure now. It may also be renamed by next year. That also happens...programs, colleges, even employers get renamed. And then you have to decide whether to be literal or translate.

I think she should put "summer intern at data analytics program."

It's not her fault -- or the Black girls' fault -- that the program was combined. But I can sure anticipate some confusion and hurt feelings. If you listed it as the Black Women in STEM program, your daughter's application would almost certainly get some favorable looks. I'd avoid that.

People: this is what OP is asking:

Do you think this could go wrong or help her college applications?

OP is not asking if it is dishonest or if she should retitle it.

I wonder if it is because of the fear of a lawsuit that the programs were combined. My son is in an URM program this summer (and is an URM) and his program just got combined. The rumor he heard is someone complained that his program wasn't being inclusive of everyone. He is not happy because he was really looking forward to spending time with other URM since he goes to a predominately white/Asian high school and attended a predominantly white/Asian elementary and middle school. For once he wanted to be in the majority.

Anonymous wrote:If it is a meaningful program, she should proceed. This is not her fault. And don’t listen to anyone telling her to lie. Be truthful.

It's a paid internship at a major company. She's been excited by it for months and it took a decent amount of interviews to get. Now it feels disingenuous.