Dear College Peas,

I am filling out my common application and I am wondering whether or not I should fill out the ethnicity section.  I have read your book and I know that colleges want to increase diversity so as a white male with European descent would it just be better for me to not fill out this part since it is optional?

-Daniel

Dear Daniel,

Yes. Fill it out. College use this for a number of reasons including analysis of their applicant pool. I always emphasize that colleges want diversity and ethic diversity is one area that is important. If you are an ethnic minority this section could help. If you are not, don’t worry, it won’t hurt.

Sincerely,

Mike Moyer