Amazing URM fact-oid

[CCLCMer]

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It's funny how all this idealism ends once in medical school and beyond. With the hectic schedules and other obligations there won't be enough time in the day to devote much time to this.

No offense, but you're a pre-med, so you have no idea what your life will be like in medical school. It's not true that you have no time to volunteer or work with underprivileged people, if you choose to do that. A lot of medical students spend time working in the community, and so do many attendings. For example, the first and second year students at my school are starting our own free clinic. If anyone wants to read about it, I posted about it in my blog.

 

[notdeadyet]

It's funny how all this idealism ends once in medical school and beyond. With the hectic schedules and other obligations there won't be enough time in the day to devote much time to this.

Personally, I like folks who are idealistic going in to the process. If you don't have any idealism at the crusty old age of 22, you're going to be a pretty beaten soul by the time you're 42.

 

[ChymeChancellor]

Personally, I like folks who are idealistic going in to the process. If you don't have any idealism at the crusty old age of 22, you're going to be a pretty beaten soul by the time you're 42.

I just meant that going into the process everyone basically want to "save the world." None of the doctors that I have talked with have that mentality. I didn't mean to sound that we shouldn't be making the effort at all. Sorry if it came off that way.

 

[ChymeChancellor]

I just meant that going into the process everyone basically want to "save the world." None of the doctors that I have talked with have that mentality. I didn't mean to sound that we shouldn't be making the effort at all. Sorry if it came off that way.

EDIT: None meant most.... I really need to stop generalizing. There ARE doctors out there making a difference.

 

[notdeadyet]

EDIT: None meant most.... I really need to stop generalizing. There ARE doctors out there making a difference.

No sweat, Chyme. I think folks know what you meant.

Churchill was misattributed a quote:

"If you're not a liberal by the time you're 25, you have no heart;
but if you're not a conservative by the time you're 35, you have no brains."

I'm liberal so obviously disagree, but I definitely see the point of this one.

 

[Vox Animo]

No sweat, Chyme. I think folks know what you meant.

Churchill was misattributed a quote:

"If you're not a liberal by the time you're 25, you have no heart;
but if you're not a conservative by the time you're 35, you have no brains."

I'm liberal so obviously disagree, but I definitely see the point of this one.

I heard a similiar quote don't know who said it, "If you're not a rebel but the time your 20, you have no heart, and if you haven't joined the system by the time your 30, you have no brain."

 

[GraC_undr_PrsR]

It seems that a lot of independent factors are setting it up so that these goals can be attainable. UCLA-Drew, Meharry, Morehouse, Howard -- all of these institutions have initiatives like the ones I described. At Meharry, one of my top medical school choices, the NIH has funded a department on health disparities research. The opportunities are out there.

If you have similar interests and want to know more, PM me.

~GraC

 

[notdeadyet]

I heard a similiar quote don't know who said it, "If you're not a rebel but the time your 20, you have no heart, and if you haven't joined the system by the time your 30, you have no brain."

It was Kevin Spacey from Swimming with Sharks.

 

[thesmartazz]

But anyways...many of you are failing to recognize that minorities, even when compared to their white socio-economic counterparts, are still more likely to receive less adequate educations and healthcare. Furthermore, I'm a minority that has spent the majority of my life living in predominately white suburbs. While my financial resources were often equal to or surpassed many of my classmates, our experiences were not the same. I.E. I doubt they had to deal with being called racial slurs, never had the experience of NEVER having teachers that looked like them, no reflection of your culture's history being taught, or having to perpetually answer ignorant/racially insensitive questions posed by classmates....

👍 👍

Bravo. Socioeconomic affirmative action does not take into account race-based disparities in American society. As TSK brought up, there are differences in experiences within socioeconomic groups across lines of race. The fact that race plays an important role in determining a peron's experiences in American society makes it a factor that admissions committees consider during the application process.

 

[thesmartazz]

Exactly! Everyone conviently forgets this. (I'm not Asian by the way)

In the status quo, Asian Americans are well-represented in medical professions. The best places for APIAs to expand the fight against racism probably don't include anatomy labs or ORs...

 

[geno2568]

It seems that a lot of independent factors are setting it up so that these goals can be attainable. UCLA-Drew, Meharry, Morehouse, Howard -- all of these institutions have initiatives like the ones I described. At Meharry, one of my top medical school choices, the NIH has funded a department on health disparities research. The opportunities are out there.

If you have similar interests and want to know more, PM me.

~GraC

and schools like that should consider race as a factor. As should state schools and schools that are big on primary care. But do you really think that schools like HMS and JHU really give a **** about poor communities? They're research institutions. The only reason that they give preference to URM's is so they can fill their quotas. And thats what I have a problem with.

 

[thesmartazz]

And relaxing the requirements for URM's doesn't exactly fix the problem of those in poverty. Affirmative action in medical school does almost nothing to help those communities.

Go read the other threads on this topic for the citations on how URMs are more likely to serve underserved communities after graduation for medical school. Making a claim that affirmative action "does almost nothing" does not mean much without a warrant.

Also, I don't think anyone disagrees with you that long-term solutions are needed for America's social problems. However, people who support affirmative action on this board believe that there are structural problems in the society now that will take a heck of a long time to fix. (Think about how long it'll take to "fix" primary and secondary education. Now think about how long the lag would be before this improved education translated to students in practicing doctors.) Long-term solutions are desirable, but will society be better if racial and cultural diversity in medical school are not promoted while we implement reforms?

 

[ChymeChancellor]

and schools like that should consider race as a factor. As should state schools and schools that are big on primary care. But do you really think that schools like HMS and JHU really give a **** about poor communities? They're research institutions. The only reason that they give preference to URM's is so they can fill their quotas. And thats what I have a problem with.

Why does every thread degenerate into these debates. Give up geno2568.... no one can change any others opinion on the matter and we can't do anything about it either way.

 

[thesmartazz]

and schools like that should consider race as a factor. As should state schools and schools that are big on primary care. But do you really think that schools like HMS and JHU really give a **** about poor communities? They're research institutions. The only reason that they give preference to URM's is so they can fill their quotas. And thats what I have a problem with.

Schools like HMS and JHU look for trailblazers, or the people who strive to make an impact onto society. (For instance, look at Paul Farmer, HMS '88.)

Also, it is grossly unfair to claim that doctors and professors at well-known research institutions do not care about underserved minorities. The biggest community health center in New Haven was established in the 1960s through the efforts of the community and Yale medical students. It now serves as a major source of primary care for thousands of patients. I'd call that giving a ****.

 

[ChymeChancellor]

Schools like HMS and JHU look for trailblazers, or the people who strive to make an impact onto society. (For instance, look at Paul Farmer, HMS '88.)

Also, it is grossly unfair to claim that doctors and professors at well-known research institutions do not care about underserved minorities. The biggest community health center in New Haven was established in the 1960s through the efforts of the community and Yale medical students. It now serves as a major source of primary care for thousands of patients. I'd call that giving a ****.

Good to know....

This URM factoid was kinda forgotten.

EDIT: I blame LizzyM for this pointless debate.

 

[Vox Animo]

It was Kevin Spacey from Swimming with Sharks.

thats it

 

[riceman04]

and schools like that should consider race as a factor. As should state schools and schools that are big on primary care. But do you really think that schools like HMS and JHU really give a **** about poor communities? They're research institutions. The only reason that they give preference to URM's is so they can fill their quotas. And thats what I have a problem with.

you speak as if you are on the inside looking out...when really you are nothing more than a lowly pre-med who knows jack-ish about the goals that these schools are seeking to accomplish.

I think it is funny when people give their opinion in such a manner that suggests they feel as if they are omniscient.

 

[CaramelDlite]

and schools like that should consider race as a factor. As should state schools and schools that are big on primary care. But do you really think that schools like HMS and JHU really give a **** about poor communities? They're research institutions. The only reason that they give preference to URM's is so they can fill their quotas. And thats what I have a problem with.

No schools use quotas anymore, its against the law. Race can only be CONSIDERED in admissions, like athletic ability, alumni status, and other factors. I would suggest perusing a history book.

 

[riceman04]

No schools use quotas anymore, its against the law. Race can only be CONSIDERED in admissions, like athletic ability, alumni status, and other factors. I would suggest perusing a history book.

None of them ever will...they would rather be lazy and rely on anecdotal and one-sided evidence.

 

[GraC_undr_PrsR]

and schools like that should consider race as a factor. As should state schools and schools that are big on primary care. But do you really think that schools like HMS and JHU really give a **** about poor communities? They're research institutions. The only reason that they give preference to URM's is so they can fill their quotas. And thats what I have a problem with.

😕

 

[stinastina]

Psst!! Don't bring a logical argument about URM admissions up in here! You'll make the locals go nuts. They like their own happy little world where they can be sheltered from the truth and keep their scapegoats!

That's the truth, Ruth !

 

[Writer1985]

But anyways...many of you are failing to recognize that minorities, even when compared to their white socio-economic counterparts, are still more likely to receive less adequate educations and healthcare. Furthermore, I'm a minority that has spent the majority of my life living in predominately white suburbs. While my financial resources were often equal to or surpassed many of my classmates, our experiences were not the same. I.E. I doubt they had to deal with being called racial slurs, never had the experience of NEVER having teachers that looked like them, no reflection of your culture's history being taught, or having to perpetually answer ignorant/racially insensitive questions posed by classmates....

I am technically a minority (Indian origin), who grew up in predominately white suburbs (our subdivision of ~200 houses had 3 Indian families, 1 Hispanic, and, as I recall, no blacks). I never had teachers that looked like me; in fact, I can't remember a single Indian teacher at any of my schools until an extremely scary chem teacher in HS. My culture's history was glossed over by a World History textbook that was full of incorrect information anyway. I've been asked where I learned to speak English so well (in the Washington DC suburb where I grew up, perhaps?) and if I speak "Hindu" (yes, I speak a practitioner of a religion). When I say "Indian," lots of people assume I mean "Native American" and ask what tribe I belong to.

And guess what? It doesn't matter. The ignorant people are just amusing, and the rest of the stuff is no excuse for success or failure in life.

There are certainly health disparities related to race/ethnicity, and I'm all for training more URMs as doctors, because minority patients are more likely to trust doctors of their same ethnicity. That said, AA would probably be more effective on a socioeconomic basis. But as several people pointed out -- URMs don't "steal your spot." A URM with a 2.0/27 is not going to get into Harvard based on race alone. This process is frighteningly competitive -- we've all just got to work hard and suck it up.

 

[Stolenspatulas]

the sad thing is, i bet many of the anti-URM SDN members posting here would never trust a URM doctor.... think how far your bias leads you...

 

[christian15213]

So the point you are trying to make is that if there were no URM's there would still be 14,000 non-URM's who will not get accepted anyway. That doesn't seem too amazing. You're trying to justify affirmative action by saying that thousands who were non-URM would get rejected anyway. Well what about the hundreds, maybe thousands who got the boot for a seat for a URM? That is really where debate lies.

ASTRIFE... Let me get this straight... NONE of the URM's actually deserved to get in... You think that every URM has poor stats and wouldn't of got in on their own... that is what you are saying? LMAO... YOU make no sense...

AA for med school isn't the same as AA for the post office. Yea, any yahoo can deliever mail but not everyone can provide for proper stats to even come close to breathing at matriculation into medical school.

So, doesn't that make the argument for URM's more potent. That our stats aren't for nothing but we just don't have the same penatrance as everyone else. So, to do something about URM's is a fair and practical thing to do... Even more so since we are 50% more likely to serve areas of minorities and medicare patients anyway!!! You are going to make the comment of how so many non-URM's got displaced... Pathedic!!!

 

[Mac11]

Minorities are just as capable of getting high GPAs, high MCAT scores, etc. If you disagree with that, and you think minorities are INcapable of doing as well as non-minorities, well, that's racist.

The argument that there are a whole bunch of mitigating factors, which minorities can't control, causing low grades, etc. is bull. Asians are the perfect example of this.

I think the real reason AA even exists is a weird combination of white guilt and the rapid political death the cry of ‘Racist!' can bring.

The end.

 

[nervousivy]

Minorities are just as capable of getting high GPAs, high MCAT scores, etc. If you disagree with that, and you think minorities are INcapable of doing as well as non-minorities, well, that’s racist.

The argument that there are a whole bunch of mitigating factors, which minorities can’t control, causing low grades, etc. is bull. Asians are the perfect example of this.

I think the real reason AA even exists is a weird combination of white guilt and the rapid political death the cry of ‘Racist!’ can bring.

The end.

How is that argument bull? Honestly, some of you people are so daft that it is unbelievable. Each minority group in America has their own specific history of oppression in this country, therefore creating unique factors for each group.

 

[baylormed]

That might be me... 😀

Right, but since we have established your trollness before..

Please, fellow SDNers, do not reply to that comment. 😍 (ironic since I just did )

 

[stinastina]

you speak as if you are on the inside looking out...when really you are nothing more than a lowly pre-med who knows jack-ish about the goals that these schools are seeking to accomplish.

I think it is funny when people give their opinion in such a manner that suggests they feel as if they are omniscient.

Here ! Here !

There are too many threads with this type of attitude.

 

[Mac11]

Each minority group in America has their own specific history

Obvious fact #1. In fact, I'm not a minority and I have a specific history too 🙂

history of oppression in this country

Note, history of oppression. Not oppressed any more. Think asians.

therefore creating unique factors for each group.

If you can list, say, 3 "unique factors" that African-Americans, um, 'endure' that are the sole products of 'oppression', I might believe you. Present oppression, mind you, don't tell me they live on plantations 🙄

Until then,

 

[stinastina]

What is a "local" stinastina? I see you agreed with the post

Why don't you ask the poster, since I didn't write it ?😛

 

[Instatewaiter]

Here is some stuff that should spark some debate:

The average black matriculant has lower numbers, both GPA and MCAT, than the average white applicant.

47% of White people who apply to med school get in and go yet only 38% of black people who apply get in and go to med school.

http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2005/mcatgparaceeth.htm

 

[stinastina]

Obvious fact #1. In fact, I'm not a minority and I have a specific history too 🙂


Note, history of oppression. Not oppressed any more. Think asians.


If you can list, say, 3 "unique factors" that African-Americans, um, 'endure' that are the sole products of 'oppression', I might believe you. Present oppression, mind you, don't tell me they live on plantations 🙄

Until then,

Have you ever taken a sociology class ? There are oodles of recent studies that show the various disparities minorities experience, not to mention quality of life, access to healthcare, representation in different professions and transformational assets (I'm sure I left stuff out).

You don't need to feel personally responsible for correcting these disparities but I would urge you to educate yourself and realize this is not a colorblind nation and we are not operating on a level playing field. Just the fact that so many people in this forum point to people of color as the reason they didn't get an interview or secondary or acceptance, instead of their own shortcomings if proof positive of that. It is a historical perspective of this nation to blame people of color whenever there is a problem that they do not want to shed the light of truth on.

 

[Mac11]

And yet, I just don't see how the bottom 5%/borderline applicants have to get punished for all the alleged social wrongs. 😕

 

[christian15213]

And yet, I just don't see how the bottom 5%/borderline applicants have to get punished for all the alleged social wrongs. 😕

you're not understanding... You are saying the bottom 5% of people are all "WHITE" and or "ASIAN" and that they have scores that are BETTER than URM's...

What we are trying to convey to you is that isn't true...

Furthermore, there are Whites blacks, asians, peacocks WHATEVER... that have low stats, lower than the average, and are accepted to med schools because of other factors such as experience and interviewing skills.

Lastly, Mac think of it like this...

If there wasn't any AA for URM's... ANDDDDDDDD there was no such thing as RACISM or BIAS or discrimination... would we need AA for URM's??? probably not... but wait, let me take this one step futher, lets say that when we are born no matter what race or ethnicity we are we ALL would be given equal education right from the start... NO YALE or HARVARD... just good ole EDUCATION...

Do you think with these two phenomenon being the norm instead of the unNORM there would be as many whites and or Asians doctors???

OH and one more point look at a traditional black medical school such as HOWARD and tell me the URM to non-URM makeup... I think you would be surprised!!!

for goodness sakes people put yourself in others peoples shoes instead of opinionating on something you really have no idea about.

 

[Mac11]

What we are trying to convey to you is that isn't true...

Furthermore, there are Whites blacks, asians, peacocks WHATEVER... that have low stats, lower than the average, and are accepted to med schools because of other factors such as experience and interviewing skills.

No. As people have stated again and again, minorities that benefit from AA, by definition, have either equal or lower stats, as compared to the borderline med school matriculants. I'm comparing the Bob-esque "whole package", not individual numbers.

I didn't quite understand your last point, but I'm willing to bet it won't explain why Asians don't have URM status.

Just a side note, but who is this 'we'?

 

[DoctaJay]

No. As people have stated again and again, minorities that benefit from AA, by definition, have either equal or lower stats, as compared to the borderline med school matriculants. I'm comparing the Bob-esque "whole package", not individual numbers.

I didn't quite understand your last point, but I'm willing to bet it won't explain why Asians don't have URM status.

Just a side note, but who is this 'we'?

My freaking goodness. This has been absolutely discussed a trillion times. Afrimative action applies to representation in medicine compared to representation in the general population. Whites make up a considerable about of the general population, and they also represented majorily in medicine. Asians while being represented in small numbers in general population are represented AMAZINGLY WELL in medicine. It is the opposite for the URMs that are actually considered in AA. That is really what it all boils down to. What is the representation in medicine, and depending on what that number is, AA will apply to them. That is how it is, and until you become the Dean of a medical school, that is how it will be. Let's all just work hard, and reap the rewards of our hard work.

 

[Gut Shot]

No sweat, Chyme. I think folks know what you meant.

Churchill was misattributed a quote:

"If you're not a liberal by the time you're 25, you have no heart;
but if you're not a conservative by the time you're 35, you have no brains."

I'm liberal so obviously disagree, but I definitely see the point of this one.

Misattributed is right, considering that Churchill was a conservative at 15 and a liberal at 35. In any cases, the terms don't translate very well from early 20th century Britain to modern day America.

 

[christian15213]

No. As people have stated again and again, minorities that benefit from AA, by definition, have either equal or lower stats, as compared to the borderline med school matriculants. I'm comparing the Bob-esque "whole package", not individual numbers.

I didn't quite understand your last point, but I'm willing to bet it won't explain why Asians don't have URM status.

Just a side note, but who is this 'we'?

no that isn't trure a URM is a URM... A URM could have a 4.0 and 45 on MCATS and he / she would still be a URM...

HELLLOOOOO in there... LOL it's all good though

 

[Mac11]

This has been absolutely discussed a trillion times.

I agree. No ones opinion is changing because of this board anyway.

No more bumpage from me, promise 👎

 

[acrobat]

discrimination against whites and asians....

yet another reason to vote republican!

 

[christian15213]

I agree. No ones opinion is changing because of this board anyway.

No more bumpage from me, promise 👎

of course an opinion won't change when people are so obviously wrong and won't admit it...

However, I do understand that it is "Darwinistic" nature to try and hoard all resources and keep one group of people in power over another...

Let me ask you this, when and if whites aren't the Majority... and are the Minority... would you then advocate AA for URM's???

Probably huh

 

[acrobat]

"would you then advocate AA for URM's"

There's a difference between advocating for them, and advocating for discrimination against whites and asians- aka affirmative action.

Sometimes I don't even know what a URM is. Is it based on appearance? Does someone who is 1/4 black, but still looks black get the same extra points as someone who his pure blood? What about a 1\8 Mexican, 7/8 White?- do they get more points than a normal plain old european meztizaje? What about a half-blood- do they only get half points? I'm sure if I go do some genealogy research I can find some Indian blood or something in me to warrant extra points on by application, but the whole idea that skin color should dictate how many extra points you get is ludicrous to begin with.

The only reason we have such a system is because of the interest groups politics in the U.S. Someone got a bad idea and started selling votes to politicians who supported it.

 

[christian15213]

"would you then advocate AA for URM's"

There's a difference between advocating for them, and advocating for discrimination against whites and asians- aka affirmative action.

discriminating against whites and asians...

Please just answer this ONE question..

Are Minorities, especially African Americans discriminated against?

 

[acrobat]

Yes they probably are, but I don't see discriminating against whites and Asians in some broad way makes it right. You're saying a wrong and a wrong makes a right. If someone is discriminating against you and giving you lower grades or something because you're black, that issue needs to come up and be dealt with, but institutionalizing more racism doesn't correct it. I don't think the discrimination today is like the past, and affirmative action needs to come to an end.

Hopefully Roberts and Alito in the coming term will tip the balance of justice and make it come to an end.

Not to mention people who are only 1/8 black reap the same benefits as pure bloods. Get one African American person in your family and then you're set. Also people who just immigrated to the United States, and have no past family history during the civil rights movement or before get the same benefits.

And even if you have never been discriminated against- and who's to say, you still get extra points for skin color, which is wrong.

of course I would highly espouse not touting this viewpoint at an interview because your chances at admission would fall through the floor.

 

[christian15213]

Yes they probably are, but I don't see discriminating against whites and Asians in some broad way makes it right. You're saying a wrong and a wrong makes a right. If someone is discriminating against you and giving you lower grades or something because you're black, that issue needs to come up and be dealt with, but institutionalizing more racism doesn't correct it. I don't think the discrimination today is like the past, and affirmative action needs to come to an end.

Hopefully Roberts and Alito in the coming term will tip the balance of justice and make it come to an end.

Not to mention people who are only 1/8 black reap the same benefits as pure bloods. Get one African American person in your family and then you're set. Also people who just immigrated to the United States, and have no past family history during the civil rights movement or before get the same benefits.

And even if you have never been discriminated against- and who’s to say, you still get extra points for skin color, which is wrong.

of course I would highly espouse not touting this viewpoint at an interview because your chances at admission would fall through the floor.

Acrobat... I hear you.... Honestly I do but you just don't really understand. I am not saying it in your ability to learn or retain information, I am saying it in regards to the fact, "you haven't lived a black person's life" in America.

You and many other people here want to SEE LYNCHINGS before you believe someone is racist. I DARE you to read a book by Kozal called American Savages and spend a day in an inner city school and sit back and learn what the true meaning of "LIFE CHANCES" are in respect to a neighborhood or community plagued with POVERTY...

you aren't going to see blatent lynchings or N BOMBS dropped that is just too silly and obvious... Because of laws and business to do such an act would be very very tacky...

For expample that is why I posted my thread about what I feel was a horrible situation at my UNIVERSITY regarding scientists and researchers... Most people here grilled me but they have never recognized or been through distrimination to have ever properly and justifiably comment.

 

[spicedmanna]

And what keeps the wheel going 'round and 'round? The biggest addiction that ever hit humankind: the addiction to being right.

 

[acrobat]

"an inner city school and sit back and learn what the true meaning of "LIFE CHANCES" are in respect to a neighborhood or community plagued with POVERTY..."

What does the inner city or poverty have to do with anything? There are plenty of poor whites and Asians in inner cities or poor rural areas- do they get points based on skin color also- nope they get negative points if you consider it a zero sum game. Give points for class\income etc, but the inner city has nothing to do with this debate.

And as for N-bombs, I doubt too many white\Asians go around saying that in a majority African American community if they don't want their teeth knocked out. Blacks use the word with each other and only with each other.

 

[GoodDoctor]

Sometimes I don't even know what a URM is. Is it based on appearance? Does someone who is 1/4 black, but still looks black get the same extra points as someone who his pure blood? What about a 1\8 Mexican, 7/8 White?- do they get more points than a normal plain old european meztizaje? What about a half-blood- do they only get half points? I'm sure if I go do some genealogy research I can find some Indian blood or something in me to warrant extra points on by application, but the whole idea that skin color should dictate how many extra points you get is ludicrous to begin with.

I've wondered this too. Ever meet those people who claim to have "some Indian blood" in 'em? Always seems to be "1/16th Cherokee", doesn't it? I geuss white Grandads tell the same tall tales to their grandkids across the nation.

How do you proove or disproove that you are a URM? There are plenty of white Mexicans whose ancestors never happened to mix with the native folks down south. I had a friend who was 1/4 black, but looked completely "white". Couldn't anyone claim to be a URM? Should geneological records be required to get URM status? Could one of the white or asian folk upset about the URM situation decide to take advantage of the system and claim to be "Mexican-American" or "African-American"?

I've spent most of my life in predominantly hispanic cities and didn't realize there was anything "different" about Mexicans until I moved to an almost all White city. I feel as comfortable around hispanic folk as I do white folk (actually, I'd take a poor Mexican over a poor Redneck anyday). My spouse is an Espanola and our son is Mexican. I seriously plan to work with hispanic populations (already volunteer in one such area). Will these factors be taken into consideration by ADCOMS? A white fella with strong ties to the Mexican community? Accepting me would seem to fullfill the goal of the URM program, wouldn't it (to have more doctors working with underserved minority populations)?

I do think that the URM system is a nice start to bring more doctors to underserverd areas, but why does the government not offer more incentives to work in underserved areas? Perhaps they could do away with malpractice premiums for doctors working in these areas? Perhaps loan forgiveness? Perhaps a lower tax-rate? These are just ideas, and I'm a fan of drastic measures to fix a broken system that never seems to change. What do you all think could be done to increase the availability of healthcare to poor and minority communities?

 

[acrobat]

Maniac
Most states have generous loan forgiveness agreements if you agree to work in underserved areas. I also learned Spanish to be able to help Latino patients, but I bet I won’t get as many points for that as I would get for being 1/8 Latino!

 

[christian15213]

"an inner city school and sit back and learn what the true meaning of "LIFE CHANCES" are in respect to a neighborhood or community plagued with POVERTY..."

What does the inner city or poverty have to do with anything? There are plenty of poor whites and Asians in inner cities or poor rural areas- do they get points based on skin color also- nope they get negative points if you consider it a zero sum game. Give points for class\income etc, but the inner city has nothing to do with this debate.

And as for N-bombs, I doubt too many white\Asians go around saying that in a majority African American community if they don't want their teeth knocked out. Blacks use the word with each other and only with each other.

Actually it is a good point you bring up... Poor whites have it just as bad too... If you are poor the system really sucks for you... With that said the percentage of poor whites to middle and upper class whites is of a certain ration where the percentage of poor blacks far out numbers the percentage of middle class to upper class whites.

Lastly, the asians who come here are from Asia and are NOT poor... Think about it... we are dealing with their elite. There aren't poor kids in China who just sit around thinking, "silly Americans I am so much smarter than them when I grow up I am going to go over there and be a NON-URM... IMMPOSSIBLE. We are dealing with their elites and it pretty much is the same for all our foriegn educational imports. That is why I was saying that regardless of color, our kids, ALL of our kids are disadvantaged by the "pre packaged foriegn student."

Now with that said, instead of bash brothering URM's why don't you look into foreign students who come and take research jobs and med student spots or medical jobs just because they were educated in their country but we have money to support their job function...

Us not educated our kids properly from the start is really what the problem is.