It was that time of the year around Late March to April. Every current college student and future college student knows this kind of anxiety. Applications were submitted months ago. It's all in the hands of college admission directors and all you have to do is painfully wait for your results.

I understand that you're probably thinking of a billion reasons as to why the admission directors would reject you. You're thinking of some excuse to tell your excited parents, relatives, and friends if by chance you're rejected to your dream school. Please be open to any excuse--but don't be racist. For simplicity purposes let's call this white girl...Molly. (I apologize to all Mollys reading this)

I vividly remember sitting in class as our lab group was anxiously awaiting that one email notification from your dream school when Molly said:

My mother is 1/4 Mexican, so I just said that I was Mexican in all of my college applications. I mean both my parents are "American-American" but that 1/4 still counts.That's not lying right? I mean it's whatever I identify with.

I didn't know much about Molly's ancestry or cultural practices. All I knew about her was that she never did her fair share of the lab and was always talking about her long-distance boyfriend who was in ROTC. I really didn't want to talk to her since I was so focused on the lab.

So one of my Mexican lab mates (for simplicity's sake let's call him Alex) replied:

Oh...so you must really celebrate your Mexican ancestry then.

Oh not at all. Except for Cincoh dee Mayoh. Love the happy hour deals.

And then her white best friend (for simplicity's sake let's call her Holly), who also didn't do any work, chirped in:

That's totally not lying! That's a part of who you are and what your mother had to go through. Don't be ashamed of it!

So, why did you say you were Mexican?

Oh come on, Alex. You've never heard of Affirmative Action? They basically let in all ethnic people if they have the minimum grades. I did really bad my first two semesters and I didn't have the best extracurricular stuff. I figured that it wouldn't hurt just to give this a shot.

And then she turns to me:

You should've probably dug into your ancestry too. I heard they weren't accepting as many Asians anymore.

Then, of course, Holly jumps in:

That sounds a little unfair! I mean I put in a lot of work to my application! My parents even hired a professional college counselor to help me write my essays and they put me through a bunch of tutoring and extracurricular programs. They would've wasted all that money for nothing if I don't get into their Alma Mater!

Alex and I made eye contact and let out a sigh as we both shook our heads.

Why were we left speechless? Were we just stunned by their ignorance or just so accustomed to it? Was arguing and trying to correct their understanding of affirmative action less important than completing a lab?

*Buzz* *Ding!* *Buzz* *Ding! Ding!*

Oh my gosh, Holly! Admissions for [insert historically white University here] are out!

Alex pulled out his phone and anxiously typed in his Portal ID.

After a couple seconds, the brightest smile spread across his face. I congratulated him enthusiastically.

However, there were a couple people who were less enthusiastic than we were.

What do you mean "We're sorry to inform you" ?!?!?!

Molly screamed and as Holly gaped in shock.

Maybe they found out you were white!

They probably did! This is total discrimination. Just because I'm white doesn't mean I shouldn't get in. I mean I bet of bunch of minorities got in with the same grades as me and took my spot! I'm going to call the admissions office. Alex, you applied to [insert historically white University here] too right? Did you get in?

Alex replied cautiously:

I did.

Well, of course you did.