White when asking for a profile evaluation?

Hi,

I notice a lot of people state their ethnicity as "White" when asking for a profile evaluation.

I'm a bit confused where I would fall.

Both my parents are migrants. My mother is sudanese, my dad is Irish.

I have olive skin.

I'm from Australia, so I really don't know where I'd fall in a profile evaluation or whether any of this is relevant to warrant a thread.

Apologies in advance for the topic, but I was thrown off quite a bit.

11 Comments
 

If you're applying to U.S MBA programs as a non-U.S citizen you do not qualify as a URM, you are just considered "International" (which is better than an American white man but worse than a URM). Not exactly logical but that's the way the system works.

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I spent ~5 years reviewing applications at a top 15 US MBA program and was responsible for recommending the best Australian candidates. Assuming your are an Australian citizen, you likely have way fewer Aussies to be competing against for spots in top US schools than if you were from another Asian country. There were not a lot to choose from.

I would suspect that you would check 'other' for your ethnicity. I would suspect that your family heritage and story could be the basis for a compelling narrative in your applications.

Susan Cera Director of MBA Admissions Stratus Admissions Counseling - www.stratusadmissions.com FREE Profile Evaluation - www.stratusadmissions.com/consult
 

Wishing you the best as you prepare for the GMAT!

Perhaps this article might be helpful as you proceed with your applications - https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/9-tips-international-candidates…</a">9 Tips for International Candidates Applying to Top US MBA Programs I remember one of my former colleagues reviewing an Australian transcript for the first time and being freaked out by all of the 'Ds' - I assured her that those were GOOD, not nearly failing!

Susan Cera Director of MBA Admissions Stratus Admissions Counseling - www.stratusadmissions.com FREE Profile Evaluation - www.stratusadmissions.com/consult
 

One other thought for you is once you have the GMAT done and you know where you are applying and your applications are almost complete, email each school and ask how to fit yourself into their narrow definitions. I say this because if you just say "Other" and don't provide additional information, you're relying on them to give your interesting background either zero weight or make their own assumptions. At least by providing the detail in writing in an email, they get a chance to tell you what to do and/or the email may be included in your file in some way.

mbaMission Admissions Consultant For personal advice, please see up a free consultation: http://www.mbamission.com/consult.php Website: http://www.mbamission.com Blog: http://www.mbamission.com/blog
 

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