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Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:13 am
by chucklesmcgee
Question for you guys-

I identify as both African American and White. If I check both African American and White, how would my boost compare to just African American?

Re: Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:39 am
by bk1
It would be exactly the same.

Re: Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 12:50 pm
by Curious1
Why would you check both? Check the one most advantageous to you and be done with it.

Re: Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:25 pm
by bk1
Curious1 wrote:Why would you check both? Check the one most advantageous to you and be done with it.
Watch out because this might blow your mongrel mind, but some people actually fill out ethnicity questionnaires honestly rather than solely based on possible admission bumps.

Re: Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:26 pm
by Curious1
bk187 wrote:
Curious1 wrote:Why would you check both? Check the one most advantageous to you and be done with it.
Watch out because this might blow your mongrel mind, but some people actually fill out ethnicity questionnaires honestly rather than solely based on possible admission bumps.
People like that have no business going to law school.

Re: Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:32 pm
by 071816
Curious1 wrote:
bk187 wrote:
Curious1 wrote:Why would you check both? Check the one most advantageous to you and be done with it.
Watch out because this might blow your mongrel mind, but some people actually fill out ethnicity questionnaires honestly rather than solely based on possible admission bumps.
People like that have no business going to law school.
Yikes...

Re: Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:46 pm
by Curious1
More to the point is that he wouldn't be lying if he only checked one. It asks for self-identification, and no one but yourself can know (if you are half-white half-black) which one you identify with. So why should he potentially deny himself the advantage and check both?

We all agree on here that law school admissions is a game. Of course you shouldn't break the rules and claim to be AA if you're not. In this case I don't see why he shouldn't use the rules to his advantage.

Re: Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 5:41 pm
by chucklesmcgee
Curious1 wrote:More to the point is that he wouldn't be lying if he only checked one. It asks for self-identification, and no one but yourself can know (if you are half-white half-black) which one you identify with. So why should he potentially deny himself the advantage and check both?

We all agree on here that law school admissions is a game. Of course you shouldn't break the rules and claim to be AA if you're not. In this case I don't see why he shouldn't use the rules to his advantage.
I appreciate the candidness. I guess my question still lies in whether or not checking both denies me an advantage. I did mark AA on the LSAT, which only allows one.

Re: Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 5:56 pm
by sfxx
I asked the same question a few months ago..

For me it wasn't so much about getting the biggest bump possible, but rather the fact that I've only been checking the AA box for college apps + standardized tests my whole life so why should I change now?

Re: Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 6:04 pm
by kaiser
Check whatever you usually check. I always find these questions odd. This is a matter of self-identification. You know what your own self-identity is better than any of us. If you always identified as both White and AA, then there is no reason to change it now. If you always identified as AA, then continue doing that. Your own self-identify isn't something that others can tell you. Just look in the figurative mirror and ask yourself which one defines you.

Re: Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:12 pm
by dkt4
this decision will have absolutely no impact on your cycle. do whatever you feel comfortable with.

Re: Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:14 pm
by 094320
..

Re: Multiracial- How does checking two boxes affect decisions

Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:27 pm
by soj
LOL @ people thinking OP will get a bigger bump if he checks only one box.