Multiethnic Background on College Applications?

I have a mixed ethnic background and identify with multiple ethnicities. How exactly do I portray this on my college applications? Are there any specific things I should consider or guidelines I need to follow when discussing my cultural background in application essays?

When it comes to indicating your mixed ethnicity on college applications, most applications give you the options to select multiple ethnic backgrounds. In the Common Application, for instance, you can check all the boxes that represent your ethnicities under the "race and ethnicity" section. The same goes for the Coalition Application and other college-specific application forms.

As for discussing your cultural background in application essays, it's essential to convey how your multiethnic identity has influenced you as a person. Here are a few tips:

1. Focus on unique aspects: Write about distinctive experiences connected to your mixed background, such as how it has shaped your worldview or enabled you to navigate different cultural settings. Avoid cliché topics like the challenges of fitting into one particular group or blending in different cultures.

2. Show your growth: Discuss how your multiethnic identity has led to personal growth, intellectual curiosity, or social awareness. For example, you might describe how being exposed to multiple cultural perspectives made you more empathetic and open-minded, or how understanding different traditions fueled your passion for a specific subject.

3. Relate to your ambitions: Connect your diverse background to your academic or career aspirations. Explain how your multicultural experience has influenced your choice of studies, extracurricular activities, or future career plans.

4. Be authentic and personal: Avoid generic statements and over-generalizations about your ethnic background, and instead, focus on specific anecdotes that reflect your unique experiences and thoughts. Keep your tone genuine and engaging.

Remember, colleges appreciate students with diverse backgrounds and experiences, as they contribute to a rich and inclusive campus community. Your multiethnic identity can be one of your strengths in your application—be proud of it and use it to your advantage. Emphasize how your background has shaped your character, interests, and values, and how it will benefit the college community as a whole.