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Hey guys,

So I will be applying to law schools this coming October. I emigrated from South Africa a few years ago and am now an American Citizen. Now the question I have- could I put African-American on my transcript? My mom's family has lived all over Africa for many generations. I am not black though. I am not asking this to up my chances in to getting in a law school, but I would like to know if I qualify. My history teacher told me that I did, but I would definitely like as much input on this topic as possible.

Also, how do law schools go about checking that stuff? If I had no African blood in me I wouldn't be asking this question- but I haven't actually gotten a straight answer from anyone yet.

Would checking caucasian and African-American be better than just checking African-American? What about not checking anything at all and just writing about South Africa in my personal statement?

Thanks!!

No

You're white. You know the answer to this.

No, you would not be African American under the current definitions of the racial classifications used on law school apps. They realized that many people such as those from Northern Africa, and South Africa were picking African-American, when that is obviously not what they meant. So they closed that obvious loophole. The answer to this is pretty easy.

Put what you want!! Don't listen to these guys!!! I put other and filled in Nazi American! I know I have Cardozo on lock with that one!!

theonlyrij@gmail.com wrote:Hey guys,

So I will be applying to law schools this coming October. I emigrated from South Africa a few years ago and am now an American Citizen. Now the question I have- could I put African-American on my transcript? My mom's family has lived all over Africa for many generations. I am not black though. I am not asking this to up my chances in to getting in a law school, but I would like to know if I qualify. My history teacher told me that I did, but I would definitely like as much input on this topic as possible.

Also, how do law schools go about checking that stuff? If I had no African blood in me I wouldn't be asking this question- but I haven't actually gotten a straight answer from anyone yet.

Would checking caucasian and African-American be better than just checking African-American? What about not checking anything at all and just writing about South Africa in my personal statement?

Thanks!!

theonlyrij@gmail.com wrote:Hey guys,

So I will be applying to law schools this coming October. I emigrated from South Africa a few years ago and am now an American Citizen. Now the question I have- could I put African-American on my transcript? My mom's family has lived all over Africa for many generations. I am not black though. I am not asking this to up my chances in to getting in a law school, but I would like to know if I qualify. My history teacher told me that I did, but I would definitely like as much input on this topic as possible.

Also, how do law schools go about checking that stuff? If I had no African blood in me I wouldn't be asking this question- but I haven't actually gotten a straight answer from anyone yet.

Would checking caucasian and African-American be better than just checking African-American? What about not checking anything at all and just writing about South Africa in my personal statement?

Thanks!!

Are you asking for accuracy or are you just trying to beat the system?

While you should not put African American in the check box you should absolutely reference your expreriences being from South Africa and becoming a naturalized citizen. This makes you unique and you may even tie it into the 'why I want to be a lawyer' or 'why X school' essay. There is definitely a 'right' way to work this into your app and IMO you will get more mileage from explaining why this makes you different than from just checking a box erroneously on the application.

Don't most applications say African American/Black ? Like African American is just the PC way to say black....

I wouldn't risk it.

skw wrote:While you should not put African American in the check box you should absolutely reference your experiences being from South Africa and becoming a naturalized citizen. This makes you unique and you may even tie it into the 'why I want to be a lawyer' or 'why X school' essay. There is definitely a 'right' way to work this into your app and IMO you will get more mileage from explaining why this makes you different than from just checking a box erroneously on the application.

And this but specifically the PS and/or DS.

Definitely write about it in an addendum. Don't check AA. I, personally, wouldn't care, but I doubt it would bode well for you in the end.

GAIAtheCHEERLEADER wrote:Don't most applications say African American/Black ? Like African American is just the PC way to say black....

This. And I think the Caucasian/White is broken down on some applications to include Europe, Asia, Africa and "other".

nOO law wrote:

GAIAtheCHEERLEADER wrote:Don't most applications say African American/Black ? Like African American is just the PC way to say black....

This. And I think the Caucasian/White is broken down on some applications to include Europe, Asia, Africa and "other".

They should have Northern Irish American and Irish American and Dirty Brit American

Thanks guys!! That really does help! I appreciate it!