Addressing URM in Secondary Essays

[cuttlefishy]

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When applying as a URM, do you think it's important to address this in essays that ask about personal disadvantages, obstacles, etc.? I've found a lot of prompts that specifically include race and/or ethnicity as part of the question (as examples of topics, mostly) and I'm debating whether or not to address my URM status.

Personally, I'm a white hispanic and while I don't feel this truly disadvantaged me, I identify strongly with the culture and am very passionate about underrepresentation in medicine. This is potentially something I could write about, but I'm not sure if it's necessary or not.

Any experience with this?

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

Do it if you have something to say other than "I'm URM therefore diversity". If you're very familiar with Hispanic culture, for example, you could write about how your experiences living in the Hispanic community will help you be a better doctor and teach your classmates some things about interacting with Hispanic patients. If you've done some kind of service work with the Hispanic community you could also write about how being a part of and improving your community is a passion of yours.

The important thing here is that you back up what you're saying with experiences.

 

[ChemEngMD]

Do it if you have something to say other than "I'm URM therefore diversity". If you're very familiar with Hispanic culture, for example, you could write about how your experiences living in the Hispanic community will help you be a better doctor and teach your classmates some things about interacting with Hispanic patients. If you've done some kind of service work with the Hispanic community you could also write about how being a part of and improving your community is a passion of yours.

The important thing here is that you back up what you're saying with experiences.

+1

I spoke in my essays a lot about my multi-ethnic background and how that has shaped my experiences, got me very involved with multicultural student leadership and social justice issues in undergraduate, and how it played a part in my decision to become a physician. I also spoke often about how through my unique background I would be able to teach my fellow classmates about different cultures, etc. etc.

Just spin it right