Should I indicate my Race on College Applications?

Not necessarily. Whether you indicate your race on a college application is a personal decision, and the importance of doing so depends on your goals and the institution.

A few considerations:

• Providing race/ethnicity information is generally optional. Colleges typically cannot require you to disclose your race.

• Some students choose to identify their race or ethnicity because it is an important part of their identity and life experiences. If your background has influenced your educational journey, leadership, community service, challenges, or perspectives, it may strengthen the context of your application.

• Some students prefer not to disclose it, either for privacy reasons or because they do not feel it is relevant to their application.

• Following the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions, colleges may not make admissions decisions based on race itself. However, applicants may still discuss how their racial, ethnic, or cultural background has shaped their experiences, aspirations, or achievements in essays and other application materials.

• For scholarships, pipeline programs, diversity initiatives, and demographic reporting, race and ethnicity information may still be used in certain contexts, depending on the program and applicable regulations.

For students from underrepresented or historically disadvantaged backgrounds, I generally advise focusing less on checking a race box and more on clearly describing:

• Life experiences

• Obstacles overcome

• Leadership

• Community engagement

• Cultural perspectives

• Commitment to service and equity

These factors often provide meaningful context for admissions committees regardless of race.