Quick question, would Portuguese be classified as Hispanic?

Hey! So I'm applying to several colleges, and a lot of them ask about my ethnicity. My family is from Portugal, and I'm confused if that comes under the Hispanic category on applications. Any clarity on this would be seriously appreciated.

You bring up an interesting question. The term "Hispanic" typically refers to people from Spanish-speaking countries. Portugal is not a Spanish-speaking country; the primary language is Portuguese. In the context of U.S. Census definitions and most college applications, "Hispanic" usually refers to individuals with origin in Spain or Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. As such, individuals of Portuguese descent, like yourself, are commonly classified as "White" or "European" on these forms, not "Hispanic."

These labels can indeed be confusing. It's also worth mentioning that you are asked about your ethnicity or race on college applications for demographic purposes and you should self-identify in the way you feel most comfortable. If your family history or experiences as a Portuguese American influence your worldview and you want colleges to know about it, consider explaining this somewhere within your application as a supplemental information. This can provide more context about your background, beyond the standard race and ethnicity checkboxes.