|
ethnicity for college
This coming fall I am applying to numerous universities. My overall gpa is a 3.5-3.7 but my SAT and SAT 2 scores are not good. Apparently I am part native american. (very little but about a sixteenth i think) what I am asking is how do I get this proven for college. I heard of genetic testing to find the gene and I have a paper from my great grandmother writing down her family history. I asked my mom (a year back) to get this proven, but she has only found papers since then (I am apparently part cherokee by the way). What more do I need to do to get it proven.
ps I have heard of ancestry.com, but it costs 30 bucks
and if anyone knows more about this gene testing let me know
thank you so much
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Work & School category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Colleges & Universities?
For Native American descent to actually "count" as part of your ethnicity, you must be 1/8th at least.
These people qualify for special collage grants and are actually able to enter into living on a reservation. So, people who are at least 1/8th Native American can be enrolled as a tribal member :)
Any more than the 1/8th simply does not count. There is too little to take in account for. A lot of US citizens have ancestry of Native Americans so there has to be a cut-off limit somewhere or everyone would be grabbing for grants and taking advantage of reservations specially designed for true Native Americans.
According to another website:
"Being of Native American descent does not qualify you for anything. Being an ENROLLED TRIBAL MEMBER of a federally recognized tribe does. If you are enrolled, contact your tribe of enrollment. You can also qualify for funding provided by non-profits, governmental organizations or the college/university itself. In most cases you will have to provide a copy of your tribal enrollment letter/card or your Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB). Being an enrolled tribal member only makes you eligible for funding, it doesn't guarantee it. If you are not enrolled or have a CIB/CDIB you are not eligible for any of these funding opportunities until you obtain one or the other. Funding for American Indians is not based on race or heritage, it is based on CITIZENSHIP in a federally recognized tribe. While many people may have American Indian heritage, it is only those who are enrolled members of their tribe and have maintained tribal citizenship who are eligible."
...which, again, basically says you must be a recognized Native American tribal member to quality, and one of the standards for becoming a triable member is being 1/8th or more Native American descendant.
As a note, you cannot just "register" for a tribe. You need actual proof that you belong there (typically genetic testing). A tribe is a nation unto itself. You become a citizen of the nation. So, you just don't show up asking for citizenship.
I did find something that said:
"Generally speaking, if your ancestors did not register back when there was a price to pay (like the Trail of Tears), you aren't entitled to any breaks now."
The school probably won't ask you to prove that you're 1/8th or more unless they decide you are going to receive a special grant or scholarships. Then you will have to show papers proving that you are a member of a tribe and you may get into a mess if you have lied at that point. People simply don't enjoy others wasting their time.
So, I hate to say it, you simply do not seem to qualify to be considered Native American enough to list it on forms.
I hope I've helped you figure a few things out while applying to colleges. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me :)
]
you dont really need to prove it for any college ive heard of... most colleges will take a handful of applications and look into them, but thats a hundred or so out of tens of thousands for a large school. and if you do get chosen, then shell out the 30 bucks for ancestry.com or show them the letter from your great grandmother and see if thats enough.
]
More Questions: |