The application process is an extremely random and opaque process, but some things such as being a minority supposedly helps you go further in this process.
I am part of the Chickasaw Nation (one of the supposedly “Five Civilized Tribes”) and I have a tribal card. Here’s the thing, I have always had this tribal card but I live far away from the reservation and rarely integrate being Chickasaw as my identity. That is until sophomore year when I actually started talking to me grandfather about our heritage. Here’s the other thing, I don’t look Native American. I have blond hair, pale skin, and I am tall. I have always marked my standardized tests as American Indian (though they should really say Native American) and I have in these past two years desperately tried to integrate more of the Chickasaw culture in my lifestyle (although they are a rather modern nation).
Maybe this is just guilt or anxiety for this upcoming year, but I want to know with decent tests scores, great GPA, and amazing extracurriculars, does emphasizing that I am Native American ACTUALLY help me in the college process?