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What constitutes an Underrepresented Minority? If you are mixed ie 25% black count?
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What constitutes an Underrepresented Minority? I am 25% Black, 75% European (Italian) but I look very white. I dye my hair blonde, and I have my moms light eyes. I know legally I am allowed to check off black on applications but since there is an interview component I do not want to come across as dishonest. I was going to check off both - I may briefly discuss my mixed heritage in my personal statement, as well. Would this work to my advantage at all in the application process, as being a URM does for some people, or would I just be viewed as Caucasian?
Just be forewarned that this may very well bite you on the ass if you lack a demonstrated commitment to underserved communities and/or communities of color, and you show up for interviews and the interviewees see this white kid. it wouldn't be the first time it happened.
To me, 25% AA doesn't count as URM.
Go away. Don't start that garbage.Hi Goro, Why would you say the commitment to underserved communities and/or communities of color "validates" URM status? If 100% AA would you hold same opinion? What if 25% but very dark complexion/hair? At what percentage does this become a requirement in your opinion when not applying to a mission based program? Judging URM status seems so murky to me, maybe everyone should give a DNA sample
Hi Goro, Why would you say the commitment to underserved communities and/or communities of color "validates" URM status? If 100% AA would you hold same opinion? What if 25% but very dark complexion/hair? At what percentage does this become a requirement in your opinion when not applying to a mission based program? Judging URM status seems so murky to me, maybe everyone should give a DNA sample
Hi Goro, Why would you say the commitment to underserved communities and/or communities of color "validates" URM status? If 100% AA would you hold same opinion? What if 25% but very dark complexion/hair? At what percentage does this become a requirement in your opinion when not applying to a mission based program? Judging URM status seems so murky to me, maybe everyone should give a DNA sample
Just be forewarned that this may very well bite you on the ass if you lack a demonstrated commitment to underserved communities and/or communities of color, and you show up for interviews and the interviewees see this white kid. it wouldn't be the first time it happened.
To me, 25% AA doesn't count as URM.
So many white kids try to game the system by checking the URM box that with some candidates, you have to walk the walk and not merely talk the talk.
One of my SDN advisees had >20 IIs and 19 rejections, due to this very scenario.
I actually had a question about this. I'm 100% URM, but my community doesn't really exist in my college town. Instead, I've worked heavily with the homeless in a clinical setting. Do you think that that will reflect my desire to work in an 'underserved' area well, if I state it as such?
I actually had a question about this. I'm 100% URM, but my community doesn't really exist in my college town. Instead, I've worked heavily with the homeless in a clinical setting. Do you think that that will reflect my desire to work in an 'underserved' area well, if I state it as such?
Wait what? Your advisee had 20 interview invites and 19 post-interview rejections?! Sorry but this is rather shocking, and I would believe it has also to do with poor interview skills.
Nobody's that unlucky.
oh so 20 secondaries and 19 pre-interview rejections you mean.
But one acceptanceNo, 20 IIS and 19 post-interview rejections. Some almost immediately
So does a person who is 100% black and is privileged also get the advantages of being a URM? Or is being a URM also tied with being disadvantaged as well?
So does a person who is 100% black and is privileged also get the advantages of being a URM? Or is being a URM also tied with being disadvantaged as well?
@Goro Hypothetical: If President Obama had a twin brother and if that brother married a WASP, could/should their kids identify racially as black/African-American and white on the AMCAS?
Should such a person deny the ethnicity of one of their four grandparents?
Don't think they are tied...I know so many Nigerians who are privileged/wealthy out the wazooo but bc of the way Race is perceived in America they are considered urm and assumed to be disadvantaged among other stereotypes....and on top of that we are grouped into being African American instead of Nigerian American or just Black which complicates things even more.
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Wouldn't they mark down both? 50% AA and 50% White-anglo-saxan
No, 20 IIS and 19 post-interview rejections. Some almost immediately
Nobody's that unlucky.
This is very interesting actually as I think about this situation from a latino american perspective..... Years ago I am sure that anyone from latin heritage would be considered URM... But now I know that Cubans are not considered URM because they were able to establish themselves here in the US, while Mexican-Americans and some others are still URM... I wonder if this same thing will happen with Black community. I think a big step would be deciphering between Nigerian American/African-American and other subsets, just as latin americans have done
there are other groups in the US that as face value "look white" but identify as black....they are known as Creoles and actually used to pass for white to enter into certain parts of society ....I think it just matters who self identify as. For my college application I put other and wrote Nigerian American
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It's not hard to decipher. They are culturally different. I grew up in a very Nigerian household....my name is Nigerian and most of us are raised to be pretty nationalistic and there are tons of Nigerian milieus across the country. Actually I remember being taught to say I was from Nigeria and not America.
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On the AMCAS, you can self-identify by checking as many boxes as you wish. I don't believe there is any requirement to check percentages. In this case, the applicant has one black grandparent (from Kenya) and three white grandparents.
Wouldn't they mark down both? 50% AA and 50% White-anglo-saxan
@Goro Hypothetical: If President Obama had a twin brother and if that brother married a WASP, could/should their kids identify racially as black/African-American and white on the AMCAS?
Should such a person deny the ethnicity of one of their four grandparents?
Oh, applicants can check whatever box they want. I'm more interested in the perception of the Adcom and interviewers when they see the candidate walk into the room. As @gyngyn has mentioned, people have been disingenuous about his, and it's blown up in their faces.
For example, what reaction would these candidates get?
View attachment 204337
Would be 25% AA and 75% white
Don't think they are tied...I know so many Nigerians who are privileged/wealthy out the wazooo but bc of the way Race is perceived in America they are considered urm and assumed to be disadvantaged among other stereotypes....and on top of that we are grouped into being African American instead of Nigerian American or just Black which complicates things even more.
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Black folks can spot Black folks (usually). Those last two are clearly Black. (And I love the first woman on suits!) How would a non- black adcom see them? As anything BUT black, haha.
Your average white employer isnt going to be able to discern between a "poor" black and a "rich" black
I know black ppl that look like this....I know Nigerians that look like this and some have green eyes too....actually when I go to Nigeria ppl think I'm mixed bc I guess I don't fit the stereotype bc I'm like very very fair among other features. It's such a hard call. The first girl is mixed btw she's half black and I love her on suits!!
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I know, I've watched suits forever. I just don't put her in the "clearly Black to Black people category".
Black folks come in alllllll shades. You made me think of Jidenna (sp). A lot of Jamacians are fair skin as well.
Ok. what is your point? They can't discern btw a poor white person and a rich white person either.
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I dont think white people have a history of racial discrimination against white people. (unless we get into the whole Irish thing).
ok. I'm going to leave this here because I want to go in it any debate about race SDN. It's not worth it. Thank you for input though.
Feel free. I have personally experienced employers in my hometown with blanket policies that they do not hire blacks on principle. This isnt a thing that people make up. Its not an imagined reality.
Ok. I am going to respectfully decline bc I think you are trolling.
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