The "Select One" Option on University Applications - Part 4

Selecting Just One Applicable Racial/Ethnic Identity on a University Application's Race Reporting Form

Welcome to the last installment of Growing Up Mixed's series on how to fill out the race reporting form that's a part of most university applications as a multiracial and/or multiethnic individual.  

So far, we've covered the pros and cons of:

1. Selecting all applicable racial and ethnic identities
2. Selecting "Other" or an unspecified option and writing in "multiracial" and/or "multiethnic" in the blank space provided

Selecting only one applicable racial or ethnic identity is the last option we'll discuss.  So, what are the pros and cons of the "just one" option?

Benefits of Selecting "Just One"

Ease of completing the application is the main benefit of only selecting one of your racial or ethnic identities.  If you just pick one and don't agonize over which one, then great!  You're done with the race reporting form and you can move on.

But there are more logistical reasons why you may want to selecting just one of your identities as a mixed applicant.

In the letter referenced last time from the California Department of Education concerning new federal rules, race and ethnicity information sections are now designed to encourage individuals to select only one possible identity (CDE).

So pretty much, selecting just one applicable identity is what they want from you.  But does this option benefit you the most?  Consider the following issues with the "just one" option.

Issues with Selecting "Just One"

Unlisted racial or ethnic identities that may have impacted other information on your application - such as academic performace - will not be easily explainable to admissions.  Racial and ethnic minorities have less privilege.  It's often harder for people with minority identity/ies to get the help that others get on the long road to university.

For example, if you grew up in a family that always encouraged you to work hard in school and could afford to hire you tutors when you had problems with a subject, you have a better chance of getting awesome grades.  For many, this scenario is not a reality.  

I'm not saying that you can't be a talented and hard-working student who gets into university otherwise.  But with more privilege, there are more opportunities for support that leads to a better transcript, better application and/or better preparedness for unviersity.

Also, this option is only viable to a mixed applicant who can comfortably pick one identity.  In my experience as a mixed teens filling out university applications, this option was emotionally difficult.  Whenever I was forced to pick just one racial or ethnic identity, it felt like a lie.

Conclusion

Out of the three options for filling out a race report form on a university application, selecting just one applicable identity is the option I like least.

By only picking one applicable identity, you run the risk of presenting an inaccurate image of yourself to admission officers.

As a mixed applicant, you have a better chance of turning the race reporting form to your advantage of by selecting all applicable racial and/or ethnic identities (see "Selecting All").

That concludes our discussion of race reporting and university applications for  multiracial/multiethnic applicants!  

What are your thoughts on the three different ways to identify yourself on an application form?  Do you have personal experiences you'd want to share about race report forms?  Are there particular challenges facing mixed folks that you'd like us to explore in the future?  As always, remember that this site is a safe space.

Keep your chin up!

<3 Elise the Mixed Blogging Chick