Ethnicity and the Common App

skieurope
Sat, 22 Oct 2016 23:45:54 +0000

@hsgraduate2017,Hispanic is an ethnicity, not a race, so you can be both.

The Original Poster does not appear to be confusing the 2, and has never used “race” on this thread.

How far back is “way back” and how old were you when you learned your grandfather’s family had Hispanic ancestors? From your post it sounds like a recent thing.

Agreed. While I believe that if one has long identified as Latin@/Hispanic, one can say that s/he is so. However, personally, I don’t think the the very first time you claim Latin@ ethnicity is on the college app.

Also, speaking spanish very well (learned in school) and embracing the culture do not make it your ethnicity.

Also agreed.

What percentage of your heritage would you say is cut and dry Hispanic?

Others may argue, and certainly scholarships will and do set their own parameters for what percentage qualifies for their scholarships, but IMO, there is no “cut and dry” percentage.