name and ethnicity don't match up

[maccha]

I'm biracial, with one parent coming from a developing nation. On my apps, I marked myself as that ethnicity, and part of my PS was about how being from that ethnic group shaped my decision to pursue law, among other things (ie studying trafficking of women as my honors thesis, deciding to work for a non-profit, etc).

Now, the problem is, since I'm biracial... my last name is distinctly white. Sort of like Smith or Jones, along those lines (except not British).

Now, will the adcomms do a double-take when they see my name, and think I'm trying to BS them?  (I'm not trying to...)

(Yet another post with me worrying about my apps, when it's too late.  )

[pikey]

No.  Don't worry about it. 

[Miss P]

I know a young black attorney with a very Jewish name (think along the lines of "Noah Feldman" or "Josh Finkelstein") and he has never seemed to encounter any problems about it.  Just describe your racial-ethnic identity in a way that makes sense to you and is truthful; the rest will fall into place.

[iSalute]

My family name is distincly English, but only because my grandfather (my father's dad) was adopted. So my name is completely white sounding. Ironic because I am quite white looking as well. However, one side of my family is Mexican.

[dbgirl]

People who are biracial should identify as such, IMO.

[Miss P]

People who are biracial should identify as such, IMO.

LOL, db.  That was so not the question.  But (as one myself, depending on your definitions) I understand and agree.

[dbgirl]

People who are biracial should identify as such, IMO.

LOL, db.  That was so not the question.  But (as one myself, depending on your definitions) I understand and agree.

Well, identifying as biracial/multiracial would help eliminate some of the confusion.  A person could still write a personal statement about the same topic by saying "my mother is from XX country ..."

[Miss P]

People who are biracial should identify as such, IMO.

LOL, db.  That was so not the question.  But (as one myself, depending on your definitions) I understand and agree.

Well, identifying as biracial/multiracial would help eliminate some of the confusion.  A person could still write a personal statement about the same topic by saying "my mother is from XX country ..."

Sure.  And in the OP's case, this works.  My friend, however, is not biracial.  He was merely stuck with a discordant name.  I'm sure there are others out there.

[dbgirl]

People who are biracial should identify as such, IMO.

LOL, db.  That was so not the question.  But (as one myself, depending on your definitions) I understand and agree.

Well, identifying as biracial/multiracial would help eliminate some of the confusion.  A person could still write a personal statement about the same topic by saying "my mother is from XX country ..."

Sure.  And in the OP's case, this works.  My friend, however, is not biracial.  He was merely stuck with a discordant name.  I'm sure there are others out there.

Well a person should never be judged by his/her name in the first place. 
As for the OP's question, I don't think the adcomms are going to disbelieve you.

[maccha]

People who are biracial should identify as such, IMO.

Even if they don't identify with both cultures equally?

Well, identifying as biracial/multiracial would help eliminate some of the confusion.  A person could still write a personal statement about the same topic by saying "my mother is from XX country ..."

Woah, my statement was not written that way, and I hope it's not that hokey.

But I usually only identify myself as one, rather than the other, since identifying myself as both somehow makes me subject to an Asian-authenticity-test.