**2016-2017 URM Medical School Application Thread**

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89
Afropolitan said:
Have you stayed with any URM student hosts? If you have not during interview season thus far, I would recommend going to second look at the institutions you are considering. At second look, I would ask tough questions about a school's climate for URM students, mentorship, etc. Sometimes, it is also a good idea to talk to faculty of color to get a sense of what their experiences are. As an MD/PhD student, assessing a school's climate is especially important since you will be spending 7-8 years at one particular institution. I am e-mailing current students at the institutions that I have been accepted to about the topics I have mentioned in this post.

Sometimes gut feelings may be misguided. The reason being, at interview day schools are trying to recruit you and it is often hard to see through it all. I believe it is a good idea to go with your gut feeling, but make sure your gut feeling is substantiated by evidence.
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Thank you! Gut + Evidence = a successful pick (hopefully). Out of curiosity are you emailing current students that you met while interviewing at the school? If not, how did you decide who to email?
 
BOA13 said:
89


Thank you! Gut + Evidence = a successful pick (hopefully). Out of curiosity are you emailing current students that you met while interviewing at the school? If not, how did you decide who to email?
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I am e-mailing current students I met while interviewing/were my student hosts (I stayed with AA male hosts or with friends I knew who attended the institution I was interviewing at for most of my interviews). I did this purposefully because I believe there are some unique challenges faced by AA males in higher education in general, but also because friends are more likely to disclose more details (the good, bad and ugly). Also, diversity offices at some schools often provide contact information of minority students who are available to answer questions (via e-mail). I am also contacting these individuals with questions as well. The students of color who I met during interview day have kept it real with me for the most part. Obviously there is some bias because most of the students like the institution they attend, but it is always good to get their insight and figure out whether what they can tolerate is also what you can tolerate.

EDIT: I would contact the diversity/multicultural affairs office and ask whether you can get contact information of URM students to ask questions if you don't know where to start with this.
 
I'm confused as to how much of a role being a URM actually factors into admissions. I've been outright rejected by many schools whom I'm qualified for, but have gotten an interview at one of my reaches. Before the cycle started, I was told by many people that I had "amazing" stats for a URM and that there isn't a school out of reach for me. I was also told I should be interviewed by almost all schools I apply to. This was far from the case. For reference, LM 68. Great Research, solid EC's, good clinical/volunteering. Family of Physicians. State School.
 
MDPedigree said:
I'm confused as to how much of a role being a URM actually factors into admissions. I've been outright rejected by many schools whom I'm qualified for, but have gotten an interview at one of my reaches. Before the cycle started, I was told by many people that I had "amazing" stats for a URM and that there isn't a school out of reach for me. I was also told I should be interviewed by almost all schools I apply to. This was far from the case. For reference, LM 68. Great Research, solid EC's, good clinical/volunteering. Family of Physicians. State School.
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Could be the time you applied must apply ASAP in the summer and your personal statement matters also
 
MDPedigree said:
I'm confused as to how much of a role being a URM actually factors into admissions. I've been outright rejected by many schools whom I'm qualified for, but have gotten an interview at one of my reaches. Before the cycle started, I was told by many people that I had "amazing" stats for a URM and that there isn't a school out of reach for me. I was also told I should be interviewed by almost all schools I apply to. This was far from the case. For reference, LM 68. Great Research, solid EC's, good clinical/volunteering. Family of Physicians. State School.
Click to expand...

Maybe it's a LOR holding you back?


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Afropolitan said:
I am e-mailing current students I met while interviewing/were my student hosts (I stayed with AA male hosts or with friends I knew who attended the institution I was interviewing at for most of my interviews). I did this purposefully because I believe there are some unique challenges faced by AA males in higher education in general, but also because friends are more likely to disclose more details (the good, bad and ugly). Also, diversity offices at some schools often provide contact information of minority students who are available to answer questions (via e-mail). I am also contacting these individuals with questions as well. The students of color who I met during interview day have kept it real with me for the most part. Obviously there is some bias because most of the students like the institution they attend, but it is always good to get their insight and figure out whether what they can tolerate is also what you can tolerate.

EDIT: I would contact the diversity/multicultural affairs office and ask whether you can get contact information of URM students to ask questions if you don't know where to start with this.
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What kind of questions do you ask?
 
Please, I am in of some advice. I'm African Canadian and a permanent resident of GA (just throw that out there)
I am in the process of a post-bac and I want to try for MD (I have no issue with DO and I will also apply to their schools as well, but retaking classes doesn't show growth in my opinion)
Which would be the best route to reinvent and improve my app.?

1. Retake all my C's in my prereqs (Physics 2 and O Chem 2).
2. Move forward from my C's and take several upper division science classes.
 
Shotapp said:
Please, I am in of some advice. I'm African Canadian and a permanent resident of GA (just throw that out there)
I am in the process of a post-bac and I want to try for MD (I have no issue with DO and I will also apply to their schools as well, but retaking classes doesn't show growth in my opinion)
Which would be the best route to reinvent and improve my app.?

1. Retake all my C's in my prereqs (Physics 2 and O Chem 2).
2. Move forward from my C's and take several upper division science classes.
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Lol I'm addicted to this app... checking on freakin Christmas.

Anyway I think taking classes isn't about growth necessarily but about proving you can even grasp the material (Use grade replacement if you need it for your GPA. It's there for a reason)

You could always retake prerequisites and toss in an upper level. That's what I did.


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201512_2259_iciia.png

Merry Christmas folks!!

Edit: The Santa should be black
 
Hey guys, I hope everyone is having a happy holiday season. I just posted in the acceptance thread but I'm pretty sure I did it so wrong so I really apologize for that. It just shows how much I post on SDN. Anyway, now that I'm back and settled, I am hoping to be more active and helpful in terms of tips and advice for current and future applicants. Now that school has calmed down and I'm home from traveling, I hope to offer my two cents every so often. For all of you who have been accepted so far, congratulations! You deserve every one of the ones you have gotten! For those of you still waiting keep up the faith! I am rooting for you. Your time is coming soon!
 
I am a first generation immigrant (moved to the US in my mid-teens), and I am wondering if I am considered URM? My family also makes very little money. Any help is appreciated!
 
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naivePremed said:
Hi, what is URM? I am a first generation immigrant (moved to the US when I was 14 years old), and I am wondering if I should apply to whatever URM is ? sorry never heard of it before, thank you for any help and info in advance.
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Under Represented Minorities, those are minorities which are not represented very highly in medical schools. Those include African Americans, Hispanics, native Americans, etc. Asians are not considered URM due to such high numbers of them in Medical Schools


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wvumedboy said:
Under Represented Minorities, those are minorities which are not represented very highly in medical schools. Those include African Americans, Hispanics, native Americans, etc. Asians are not considered URM due to such high numbers of them in Medical Schools


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Click to expand...
I edited my post above^. what about first generation immigrant from Europe with low family income? do ethnicities count?
 
naivePremed said:
I edited my post above^. what about first generation immigrant from Europe with low family income? do ethnicities count?
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No, that does not fall into URM category. In its own right, it's an interesting upbringing/background that at least offers you a unique talking point to spin into whatever you want come application time.

Socioeconomic status is also considered if I am not mistaken.


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SydSing said:
No, that does not fall into URM category. In its own right, it's an interesting upbringing/background that at least offers you a unique talking point to spin into whatever you want come application time.

Socioeconomic status is also considered if I am not mistaken.


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Click to expand...
I could be considered on the socioeconomic factor i suppose, thank you for the info! do i apply seperately or is it on Aacomas?
 
@naivePremed No offense, but can you please post in pre-allo or make a separate thread? The adcoms who usually answer premed questions are: Goro, gyngyn, LizzyM, and gonnif.

This thread is to celebrate URM acceptances and achievements this application cycle. Besides, I think you were already answered.

:hijacked:
 
Dr. In Formation said:
@naivePremed No offense, but can you please post in pre-allo or make a separate thread? The adcoms who usually answer premed questions are: Goro, gyngyn, LizzyM, and gonnif.

This thread is to celebrate URM acceptances and achievements this application cycle. Besides, I think you were already answered.

:hijacked:
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why would I would I move this to pre-allo when im applying to DO schools? and i thought the title of this thread was "
**2016-2017 URM Medical School Application Thread**" , i didnt know it was about celebrating acceptances only. just thought id ask people that are in since they would know best....? thank you tho. didnt mean to cause this uproar. just a naive premed here.
 
SydSing said:
Especially since that question was sketch af (given the fact they've been on SDN for a bit) and c'mon you know you don't apply to be a URM. Lol.

Moving on.


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i didnt mean to "sketch" you out with my question. I haven't heard this term before and was curious to know what it is and what the criteria was, nothing else. thank you for your insightful reply/comment, didnt mean to cause this uproar. just a naive premed here.
 
naivePremed said:
i didnt mean to "sketch" you out with my question. I haven't heard this term before and was curious to know what it is and what the criteria was, nothing else. thank you for your insightful reply/comment, didnt mean to cause this uproar. just a naive premed here.
Click to expand...

Then use Google. Bye.


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ok ok guys, im sorry i wasnt trolling at all it was just an honest question. maybe it was out of place in this thread and i didnt realize that. best of luck to the rest of the applicants this cycle and enjoy the holidays all!
well-that-escalated-jmg8n6.jpg
 
LOL alright peeps, no need to release the wolves on this poor person. @naivePremed this forum is intended to advice and help URM applicants during the med school admissions process. To answer your question you would not be considered a URM, but you might be considered disadvantaged. There is a disadvantaged section on the AMCAS where you can explain all that and then med schools decide whether to grant you that status, and proceed accordingly. URM status deals with ethnicities and race. Hope that answers your question.
 
dr.Breezy said:
LOL alright peeps, no need to release the wolves on this poor person. @naivePremed this forum is intended to advice and help URM applicants during the med school admissions process. To answer your question you would not be considered a URM, but you might be considered disadvantaged. There is a disadvantaged section on the AMCAS where you can explain all that and then med schools decide whether to grant you that status, and proceed accordingly. URM status deals with ethnicities and race. Hope that answers your question.
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Lol it just seemed off. That's all.


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dr.Breezy said:
LOL alright peeps, no need to release the wolves on this poor person. @naivePremed this forum is intended to advice and help URM applicants during the med school admissions process. To answer your question you would not be considered a URM, but you might be considered disadvantaged. There is a disadvantaged section on the AMCAS where you can explain all that and then med schools decide whether to grant you that status, and proceed accordingly. URM status deals with ethnicities and race. Hope that answers your question.
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thank you, thats really helpful, I appreciate it!
 
WhittyPsyche said:
Accepted to Georgetown! I didn't answer because I didn't think any admissions offices would be open now lol. Nice voicemail though


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Congrats homie, when did you interview? I'm impatiently waiting to hear back from them
 
wizkidII said:
Tufts brought my total II to 6 yesterday. 😀

Plan on canceling my Drexel interview after getting accepted at Jefferson. Does anyone here believe I should do otherwise?
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If you know for certain that you wouldn't attend Drexel over Jefferson, then no. Sure you could fall in love on interview day or whatever but sometimes you know in your heart you'd pick one over the other and there is no point in wasting the time and energy.


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SydSing said:
If you know for certain that you wouldn't attend Drexel over Jefferson, then no. Sure you could fall in love on interview day or whatever but sometimes you know in your heart you'd pick one over the other and there is no point in wasting the time and energy.


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Click to expand...

Unless....you know... $$$


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dr.Breezy said:
Unless....you know... $$$


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Click to expand...

Yeah that's part of the... 'knowing for certain'. I usually assume everyone has done their research related to schools and the type of aid they offer. I know I did. Some just weren't generous so I felt no guilt in cancelling.
 
SydSing said:
Yeah that's part of the... 'knowing for certain'. I usually assume everyone has done their research related to schools and the type of aid they offer. I know I did. Some just weren't generous so I felt no guilt in cancelling.
Click to expand...

That's valid. Though many times you don't truly know what aid you will receive until you're accepted, in which case unless you're dead set on a school (meaning you will attend despite the financial aspect) it might be worth going to the interview. Unless of course, the price of going to the interview is rather large. It all ultimately comes down to the opportunity cost.


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wizkidII said:
Tufts brought my total II to 6 yesterday. 😀

Plan on canceling my Drexel interview after getting accepted at Jefferson. Does anyone here believe I should do otherwise?
Click to expand...
Drexel doesn't give alot of money for scholarship. And of all the schools I have seen drexel would be at the bottom of the list for me.
 
Chelsea FC said:
Drexel doesn't give alot of money for scholarship. And of all the schools I have seen drexel would be at the bottom of the list for me.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input. It helps to know what others have experienced at the school.
I'm perfectly satisfied passing on the opportunity to someone else that will benefit more from the interview. :highfive:
 
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