A stupid question but I have to ask it

  • Thread starter Thread starter HossamCFD
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Stupid
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the classification of ethnicity and race in university application forms, specifically regarding the categorization of Arabs. Participants explore what option to select when Arab is not explicitly listed, and the implications of choosing 'other' or other categories.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Arabs can be classified as Caucasian, while others argue that ethnicity is distinct from race.
  • There is uncertainty about whether to select 'white' or 'other' on the application form, with some expressing concern about providing misleading information.
  • One participant mentions that the application is compulsory and does not allow for a description, leading to a preference for selecting 'other'.
  • Some participants reflect on their personal experiences with similar questions on applications, indicating a general discomfort with the necessity of disclosing race or ethnicity.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of the term "African-American" and its association with race, with some participants noting the blurring of racial categories due to inter-racial breeding.
  • One participant references a recent UK census that categorized ethnic groups into multiple levels, indicating that 'Arab' was included under 'Other'.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on how Arabs should be classified, with no consensus reached on the best option to select on application forms. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these classifications.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the lack of clarity in the definitions of race and ethnicity, and the limitations of application forms that do not accommodate diverse identities. The conversation reflects varying cultural and geographical perspectives on these classifications.

HossamCFD
Messages
63
Reaction score
181
Hi all,

So I am applying for Ph.D in a few universities. In the application form I am asked for my ethnicity. I am an Arab (Egyptian) but I can't find such ethnicity in the list to choose from. What should I choose ? I think I am not black nor white and definitely not Asian or Hispanic. Should I just choose 'other' or are Arabs considered one of those ethnicity ?

Sorry if the question is stupid, but I really need an answer

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Your race would be white, or black depending on your family tree, but your ethnicity would be Arab.
 
Last edited:
Evo said:
Your race would be white, but your ethnicity would be Arab.

Thanks !

I don't really understand the difference. The application asks only about ethnicity not race. So, is it better to choose white or other ? I am afraid they consider me as providing misleading information if there is no agreement about this.
 
Is it compulsory to fill in? You may not even have to. If you do I would just tick other and give a description you prefer if there is a space provided.
 
cobalt124 said:
Is it compulsory to fill in? You may not even have to. If you do I would just tick other and give a description you prefer if there is a space provided.

Well, it is compulsory (the application wouldn't proceed to the next checklist unless answer is provided). Also there is no space for description.

I think I am just going to write 'other' as you said.
 
Would it be African-American?
 
I believe Arabs are considered Caucasian.
 
skeptic2 said:
Would it be African-American?

I am not American. I am of course African in the geographical sense but I am not sure if this is the same as ethnicity.
 
HossamCFD said:
Well, it is compulsory (the application wouldn't proceed to the next checklist unless answer is provided). Also there is no space for description.

I think I am just going to write 'other' as you said.
Other may be the best option since there is no telling what the person you end up dealing with believes.
 
  • #10
lisab said:
I believe Arabs are considered Caucasian.

It seems that you are right. However, I just checked 'other' in the list to avoid confusion. Thanks
 
  • #11
lisab said:
I believe Arabs are considered Caucasian.

An African-American can't be caucasian?
 
  • #12
skeptic2 said:
An African-American can't be caucasian?
No, the term applies to black people. Of course with all of the inter-racial breeding, the lines that used to determine race is in many cases so blurred that many people can pick which race they fall in or claim to be of multiple races.

Egypt is geographically considered caucasion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_race#Racial_theories
 
  • #13
Then the term is really a misnomer. I wonder what necessitated this euphemism for black.
 
  • #15
i forget what i put on my university application this time. it's not a question we are required to answer. well, at least the answer can be "no answer". i think i might have put "other" this time, but "none of your g.d. business" may have been it, too.
 
  • #16
Proton Soup said:
i forget what i put on my university application this time. it's not a question we are required to answer. well, at least the answer can be "no answer". i think i might have put "other" this time, but "none of your g.d. business" may have been it, too.
:smile:
 
  • #17
Proton Soup said:
i forget what i put on my university application this time. it's not a question we are required to answer. well, at least the answer can be "no answer". i think i might have put "other" this time, but "none of your g.d. business" may have been it, too.

That's exactly how I feel. When I was applying to summer internships, answering the question was optional for all except for one. On that one I just picked "other" even though one of the others better described me.

On the census, I picked "other" and wrote in "human." I don't understand everybody's obsession with race.
 
  • #18
Proton Soup said:
i forget what i put on my university application this time. it's not a question we are required to answer. well, at least the answer can be "no answer". i think i might have put "other" this time, but "none of your g.d. business" may have been it, too.

My preferred answer too.
 
  • #19
Evo said:
Egypt is geographically considered caucasion.

It may depend who is doing the considering. The recent UK census split ethnc groups into two levels. The top level groups were
White
Mixed/multiple ethnic groups
Asian/Asian British
Black/African/Caribbean/Black British
Other

Each group had several second-level options, plus a "write-in" option.

"Arab" was a second-level option under "Other"
 
  • #20
I always end up being a million different things for these surveys. >.>
 

Similar threads

Admissions Profile evaluation for astronomy Phd applicant in the fall 2023 cycle
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
What should i write in this essay prompt ?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Admissions Latebloomer with many past mistakes applying to graduate school
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Admissions (international) My chances of getting into top Astrophysics programs?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
5K
Stupid question about what brand of laptop to buy
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Other Could/Should I still go for a PhD?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Attend an average PhD program or wait a year to retake the GRE?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Admissions Do I have a good shot at CalTech/MIT's graduate program for physics?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
7K
Applying for a PhD in Physics after a Master's degree
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
How to switch from engineering with unknown undergrad name to Physics?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K