“Re Pacific Islander – the Pacific Islander part gives me a hook (URM) due to a DNA test I took. I put Asian for Ea/ed schools, Pacific Islander for RD”
I don’t think it’s a good idea to be changing your race on different applications. Everything should be consistent from the application, to what your school has you registered as, to what you told the testing companies. Do you not think that colleges are aware of the possibility of applicants gaming the hooks based on a 23andMe test?
Not much the schools can do, it’s about how one identifies, no DNA needed. FWIW I am not sure whether Pacific Islander is considered a URM, I expect there’s some variability as to how schools view it.
Re changing race — I left the ethnicity portion blank and some colleges that have contacted me said they have already changed the application for me to update that.
I live in NJ
The fall 2019 app for Rutgers is still open for many schools https://admissions.newbrunswick.rutgers.edu/applying/application-and-decision-dates#FYFall19
Huh?
A Pacific Islander is a URM – URMs are considered Hooks on college apps @eb23282
thank you @Mwfan1921
@Groundwork2022 I understand your point. However, my lineage was 87% Pacific Islander and Philippines, and most of the colleges I have contacted have already reached out and changed it for me in the application file
No safeties is the problem. As for your “hook”, it’s not a true hook. It seems you’ve had advice about some safeties. Good luck.
Also, your guidance counselor did you no favors by getting your hopes up.
Without getting into a debate on the wisdom of declaring race/ethnicity based on DNA testing, as an FYI, colleges, where not prohibited by law, are free to define their own hooks. Similarly, they are free to define for themselves what is a URM. As a general rule, URM means black/Latin@/Native American, Alaskan, Hawaiian. Some colleges may narrow the definition of Latin@ to mainland Puerto Ricans and Mexican descendants. Some colleges may broaden the definition and include, as examples, Canadian First Nations/Samoans/Fijians, etc. Others may not. So “Pacific Islander” is not an automatic hook.
agreed @skieurope – there is definitely variations between colleges and how they define URMs
@Lindagaf, I know. Thank you for the input, however. Much appreciated. I am actually looking for information, if any, about how colleges define some hooks.
Why? You are who you are. It’s frankly a bit crazy to put your ethnicity or race on an app based on a DNA test. First off, there are many different ones and they are proving to be more and more inaccurate. What else in your app links to your Pacific Islander heritage? That’s of more interest than your skin color, race, etc…
You have placed far too much importance on a DNA test. No college is going to consider your name brand DNA kit when it reviews your app.
You don’t need more information on definition of hooks. You do need to identify and apply to some safeties/matches that are still taking apps, send your LOCI to the 4 deferrals ( a simple expression of continued interest and update of S1 excellent grades), and have GC formally send S1 grades to all your deferral and RD schools.
Please focus on things that will help you, pacific islander is unlikely to move the needle
File it under “it is what it is.” You either have a hook or you don’t. Few colleges will tell you how they define hooks or how they weight those hooks in the admissions process.
I will most definitely apply to more safeties. I used ancestry and personally called the colleges to change the information and they did. Also, do you also mean, in a hypothetical situation, If someone identified as black, and don’t talk about their black heritage, that they wouldn’t be considered a URM @Lindagaf? Just curious to see your opinion is all.
OP - as others have said, you had a very reach heavy list. Focus on what you can do now with applying to safeties. You’ve already gotten good advice at some options, including your instate schools. Hopefully one of the reaches comes through but unless you want to take a gap year, don’t worry about finding a “hook” and worry about getting more applications in ASAP.
I’m waiting for my Ancestry DNA test results to come back. Based on my kid, I know there will be considerable eastern European and Scandinavian markers there. Maybe if I was actively involved in a Finnish dance troupe, or if I was part of a Russian cooking group and made borscht and pirozhkis on a monthly basis, those things might be worthy of adding to my app. But just being those things by the accident of birth is not, on its own, inherently interesting or notable.
Same with your situation. Just being a pacific islander isn’t notable. It’s everything else you do that might be notable, and those things might make the difference. it doesn’t have to be associated with your race, or anything else. Ticking a box doesn’t get you in. The whole package gets you in. If anything, I think the fact that you did TASP is a pretty good check mark in your favor.
Are you full pay or did you click the box “applying for financial aid”?
I assumed colleges and universities give a slight bump to URMs to add cultural diversity to the student body. They aren’t really getting that when someone discovers that through recent DNA testing.