Anyone else see no black students on the interview trail?

[SigPi]

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Saw them at MD interviews, but NONE at DO schools. Not that it matters much to me, I'm a whitey myself 😀. Just thought this to be a little odd considering how professional schools, especially medicine, heavily recruit minorities.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

Which schools were you applying too? Rural/Urban. I'm black and puerto rican...and I know I would not want to practice in a rural environment. I think that may play a role.

 

[medblue]

hi 🙂 i'm new. what's a DO school????????????

 

[bgreet]

Uhh I've seen a number of African Americans while interviewing at my DO schools.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

hi 🙂 i'm new. what's a DO school????????????

Go here..Answers most newcomers questions.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=240220

 

[futuredo32]

MSUCOM has a pretty ethnically diverse student population. East Lansing is fairly rural too.

 

[mtDNA]

Saw them at MD interviews, but NONE at DO schools. Not that it matters much to me, I'm a whitey myself 😀. Just thought this to be a little odd considering how professional schools, especially medicine, heavily recruit minorities.

I think you answered your own question with that last part. Because of AA, all black premeds are going to top tier MD schools.

 

[medhacker]

I interviewed today at a DO school

There were 2 african american students and no latino students 😕

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

no latino students 😕

aww man no love

 

[medhacker]

aww man no love

yep, come to think of it I did not see any latinos among the school class, of course I didn't see the entire bulk of it, I am sure there are some though

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

I know PCOM has a Latino Medical Club of some sorts...who knows how active they are..I plan on changing that...and throw some cool a$$ salsa, merengue, bachata parties...of course when we arent studying are arses off.

 

[NonTradMed]

I interviewed at five DO schools---I don't remember any blacks. There was a few of asians (disproportionate to the rest of the population), but no hispanics or blacks that I can remember. When I was at CCOM, I just remember I saw tons and tons of south east asians....so I don't think schools lack for diversity, but it does seem to need an outreach program for African-Americans.

 

[dr.z]

I didn't run into black or hispanic students interviewing at COMP, CCOM, and TCOM.

 

[Jamers]

Saw them at MD interviews, but NONE at DO schools. Not that it matters much to me, I'm a whitey myself 😀. Just thought this to be a little odd considering how professional schools, especially medicine, heavily recruit minorities.

Lot's of diversity in all of the interviews I went on...

 

[FutureDocDO]

I saw only one black girl out of four interviews. It was for LECOM.

 

[HunterGatherer]

If you are interviewing at schools with a low percentage of minorities then more than likely this will be the case.

Even though med schools "heavily" recruit minorities the applicant pool is only about 8% AA and the enrollment is 6% AA at MD schools. applicant pool is 6% AA and enrollment is 4% AA in DO schools. And with all of this "heavy" recruitment there are still some schools(not many) that have 1-3% representation of AA's.

Just throwing out some numbers. There some DO schools and MD schools that will have a relatively high percentage of AA's but this is of course not common.

I checked off that I'm an AA on my MCAT and it was not until December that I received mail(4 letters) because of my MCAT score. It's 2 SD above the mean for AA's (32M) so I hope they are not using MCAT scores as the main tool for recruitment. I thought my mail would be stuffed. Here's to "heavy" recruitment: 👎

 

[blaze1306]

As an African-American I can tell you I have not seen many minorities on this site, I believe it is just due to lack of knowledge. I am a bit upset about the above comment about AA(Affirmative Action) in one of the previous post. Assuming all blacks get into MD programs because of AA is frankly stupid. While MD programs actively recruit the applications of minorities, it is strictly because of the lower numbers of minorities even in the position to apply to medical school, because of social and financial disparities. My mother never would have gone to college with out AA and I'm proud to say I'm in with a 3.5 overall without any special treatment. Statements like the one about AA really makes me remember it's only been about a 60 years since the civil rights movement, and some people think society is equal and fair. It is far from it.

 

[Nate]

Blaze how do you know how many minorities are on this site?
I would like to say that just because a school recruits minorities because it values diversity does not mean that we are any less qualified or standards are lowered. There is a difference between encouraging to apply and bribing to apply. I can tell you from experience we have very active SNMA and NBLHO chapters on campus at my school and they have active chapters at PCOM and NYCOM as well.

 

[Nate]

Here are the websites for those organizations I mentioned in my last post in case anyone is interested. I encourage anyone coming to the northeast medical schools to get involved even if you are not a minority; these are great organizations to be a part of. Lots of community service, social events, and workshops. Stay positive.

http://www.nblho.org/chapters.html

http://www.snma.org/

 

[DarkWingDuck]

In 4 DO interviews I saw one black girl........ the rest were white and asian. Touro-nv, Nova, LECOM fl, Western.

 

[Raven Feather]

As an African-American I can tell you I have not seen many minorities on this site, I believe it is just due to lack of knowledge. I am a bit upset about the above comment about AA(Affirmative Action) in one of the previous post. Assuming all blacks get into MD programs because of AA is frankly stupid. While MD programs actively recruit the applications of minorities, it is strictly because of the lower numbers of minorities even in the position to apply to medical school, because of social and financial disparities. My mother never would have gone to college with out AA and I'm proud to say I'm in with a 3.5 overall without any special treatment. Statements like the one about AA really makes me remember it's only been about a 60 years since the civil rights movement, and some people think society is equal and fair. It is far from it.

Good for you! Ya know, I hear all this stuff about minorities given special treatment for admission into med school. I think anyone here would have to agree that for the most part, we would take anything offered to increase our chances of being accepted. You might has well take what you can get b/c many of the more "affluent"-- kids of doctors (who happen to be mostly white) will sure be making it known that their daddy or mommy is a doctor and graduated from this or that school to get an edge on admission. You can bet on that!

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

kids of doctors (who happen to be mostly white) will sure be making it known that their daddy or mommy is a doctor and graduated from this or that school to get an edge on admission. You can bet on that!

True True..it is about who you know...people will use whatever they can to get into school.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Saw them at MD interviews, but NONE at DO schools. Not that it matters much to me, I'm a whitey myself 😀. Just thought this to be a little odd considering how professional schools, especially medicine, heavily recruit minorities.

We've got 5 African Americans in our class of 88, but we have plenty of other minorites as well.

 

[medhacker]

We've got 5 African Americans in our class of 88, but we have plenty of other minorites as well.

How many latinos?

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

👎 haha 👍

 

[medhacker]

😉

 

[tara14]

Good for you! Ya know, I hear all this stuff about minorities given special treatment for admission into med school. I think anyone here would have to agree that for the most part, we would take anything offered to increase our chances of being accepted. You might has well take what you can get b/c many of the more "affluent"-- kids of doctors (who happen to be mostly white) will sure be making it known that their daddy or mommy is a doctor and graduated from this or that school to get an edge on admission. You can bet on that!

I agree with everything you said up until this point: "many of the more "affluent"-- kids of doctors (who happen to be mostly white)". For some reason this statement really bugs me because I'm white and definately not from a rich family. I am from a poor family and was the first to go to college. I had to struggle throughout college to pay the bills, rent, etc... And maybe it was an exception where I went to college but a lot of the minorities I knew were the kids of doctors and affluent. There were whites too that were affluent and kids of doctors, just as there were whites that came from very poor families. There was a mix. It wasn't just one race at my college that was the most affluent or the most poor. And I'm sure that any of these affluent kids (white/minority) are using their parents connections to get an edge for med school admissions. It just seems like a very stereotypical statement to say that most of the white kids are affluent and kids of doctors. I have a lot of respect for people (of any race) that come from disadvantaged backgrounds and become successful and achieve their dreams and goals in life. I personally know it's not easy and it seems like an up hill battle most of the time. And people from disadvantaged backgrounds do deserve special consideration in the admissions process, but please know that not all white people are rich or have connections to get an edge on med school admissions. I wish I did!! My father keeps playing the lotto hoping that he can help me pay for med school

 

[OSUdoc08]

How many latinos?

I don't think we have any, but we have several Native Americans and Asians.

 

[HunterGatherer]

hmmm...

🙄

I went to college but a lot of the minorities I knew were the kids of doctors and affluent.

 

[Raven Feather]

I agree with everything you said up until this point: "many of the more "affluent"-- kids of doctors (who happen to be mostly white)". For some reason this statement really bugs me because I'm white and definately not from a rich family. I am from a poor family and was the first to go to college. I had to struggle throughout college to pay the bills, rent, etc... And maybe it was an exception where I went to college but a lot of the minorities I knew were the kids of doctors and affluent. There were whites too that were affluent and kids of doctors, just as there were whites that came from very poor families. There was a mix. It wasn't just one race at my college that was the most affluent or the most poor. And I'm sure that any of these affluent kids (white/minority) are using their parents connections to get an edge for med school admissions. It just seems like a very stereotypical statement to say that most of the white kids are affluent and kids of doctors. I have a lot of respect for people (of any race) that come from disadvantaged backgrounds and become successful and achieve their dreams and goals in life. I personally know it's not easy and it seems like an up hill battle most of the time. And people from disadvantaged backgrounds do deserve special consideration in the admissions process, but please know that not all white people are rich or have connections to get an edge on med school admissions. I wish I did!! My father keeps playing the lotto hoping that he can help me pay for med school

If you reread my statement you would see that I said basically that the overrepresented majority white kids of doctors would be letting that fact be known. I never elluded to the idea that all white kids are affluent or kids of docs. That being said:
I come from a disadvantaged background too have always been classified as "white"--I say it that way because I am part Native American. My granfather's origin is from the eastern band Cherokees who did not flee to Oklahoma as ordered. I've digressed a little but anyway, the truth is Most docs in the US are white, second would be another over represented majority, the southeast asians. I have no qualms with whites, blacks, reds, greens, whatever...I'm just sick of hearing people who already have certain advantages attack those who are given somewhat of an advantage that they were not born into to make them have more of an equal opportunity. I know I checked I was from a disadvantaged background, and would have checked Native American--had the US recognized the native people who did not follow orders to break camp.--But you can bet I put my ancestry on my personal statement. 😀

 

[MoosePilot]

I come from a disadvantaged background too have always been classified as "white"--I say it that way because I am part Native American. My granfather's origin is from the eastern band Cherokees who did not flee to Oklahoma as ordered. I've digressed a little but anyway, the truth is Most docs in the US are white, second would be another over represented majority, the southeast asians. I have no qualms with whites, blacks, reds, greens, whatever...I'm just sick of hearing people who already have certain advantages attack those who are given somewhat of an advantage that they were not born into to make them have more of an equal opportunity. I know I checked I was from a disadvantaged background, and would have checked Native American--had the US recognized the native people who did not follow orders to break camp.--But you can bet I put my ancestry on my personal statement. 😀

Well, someone can understand how complicated NA descent is in the US. I know I wouldn't have signed a roster when asked by someone who might have been shooting at me recently, why is it a surprise that many Native Americans did not?

You could still check Native American on your AMCAS. They don't require tribal affiliation, nor does any school that interviewed me. They simply didn't ask.

 

[Raven Feather]

Well, someone can understand how complicated NA descent is in the US. I know I wouldn't have signed a roster when asked by someone who might have been shooting at me recently, why is it a surprise that many Native Americans did not?

You could still check Native American on your AMCAS. They don't require tribal affiliation, nor does any school that interviewed me. They simply didn't ask.

Yes, yes, yes!! You won't find any of my ancestors on any of those friggin rosters!

Yeah, Moose, I didn't know how that worked and I didn't feel like getting agitated if asked about my ancestry and trying to explain to admissions people "The History of the United States." Know what I mean? But in retrospect, I may be asked why I checked "white" but am from NA descent. No one has asked thus far, but I do have one more interview.

 

[PlasticMan]

If you reread my statement you would see that I said basically that the overrepresented majority white kids of doctors would be letting that fact be known. I never elluded to the idea that all white kids are affluent or kids of docs. That being said:
I come from a disadvantaged background too have always been classified as "white"--I say it that way because I am part Native American. My granfather's origin is from the eastern band Cherokees who did not flee to Oklahoma as ordered. I've digressed a little but anyway, the truth is Most docs in the US are white, second would be another over represented majority, the southeast asians. I have no qualms with whites, blacks, reds, greens, whatever...I'm just sick of hearing people who already have certain advantages attack those who are given somewhat of an advantage that they were not born into to make them have more of an equal opportunity. I know I checked I was from a disadvantaged background, and would have checked Native American--had the US recognized the native people who did not follow orders to break camp.--But you can bet I put my ancestry on my personal statement. 😀

That makes sense considering the majority of the population of the U.S. is white.

 

[Raven Feather]

That makes sense considering the majority of the population of the U.S. is white.

Yes, logically, I restated that for Tara14, who, based on her experience, mostly saw kids of doctors of minorities.

 

[tara14]

If you reread my statement you would see that I said basically that the overrepresented majority white kids of doctors would be letting that fact be known. I never elluded to the idea that all white kids are affluent or kids of docs. That being said:
I come from a disadvantaged background too have always been classified as "white"--I say it that way because I am part Native American. My granfather's origin is from the eastern band Cherokees who did not flee to Oklahoma as ordered. I've digressed a little but anyway, the truth is Most docs in the US are white, second would be another over represented majority, the southeast asians. I have no qualms with whites, blacks, reds, greens, whatever...I'm just sick of hearing people who already have certain advantages attack those who are given somewhat of an advantage that they were not born into to make them have more of an equal opportunity. I know I checked I was from a disadvantaged background, and would have checked Native American--had the US recognized the native people who did not follow orders to break camp.--But you can bet I put my ancestry on my personal statement. 😀

OK- I understand - I misinterpreted your original statement. I need to explain that my experience and observations are coming from a prestigious private university in which most of the students (of all races) come from wealth. I was not one of them, and I know that there were others (of all races) that were right there along with me. And yes, most of the minorities that I saw that were kids of doctors were southeast asians. But I knew some black students too that were from affluent families, as I knew some that were like me financially. I'm just trying to say that there are exceptions to everything. Not all whites are rich, not all minorities are poor. I was responding to your previous post because I felt it was the stereotypical way that most people view white people - that they have all the advantages in the world and are rich. Yes, as you said, we are not all rich. I'm not bitter or angry that underrrepresented minorities get an advantage in admissions - I think that it's a good thing. I came from a small rural town which had little diversity and when I went to college I was introduced to so many different cultures, religions and beliefs and I loved it. And I haven't seen that much diversity on the osteopathic interview trail which was disappointing to me because I don't want to go to a med school where everyone is the same - I want to go to a med school where there is diversity.

 

[Raven Feather]

OK- I understand - I misinterpreted your original statement. I need to explain that my experience and observations are coming from a prestigious private university in which most of the students (of all races) come from wealth. I was not one of them, and I know that there were others (of all races) that were right there along with me. And yes, most of the minorities that I saw that were kids of doctors were southeast asians. But I knew some black students too that were from affluent families, as I knew some that were like me financially. I'm just trying to say that there are exceptions to everything. Not all whites are rich, not all minorities are poor. I was responding to your previous post because I felt it was the stereotypical way that most people view white people - that they have all the advantages in the world and are rich. Yes, as you said, we are not all rich. I'm not bitter or angry that underrrepresented minorities get an advantage in admissions - I think that it's a good thing. I came from a small rural town which had little diversity and when I went to college I was introduced to so many different cultures, religions and beliefs and I loved it. And I haven't seen that much diversity on the osteopathic interview trail which was disappointing to me because I don't want to go to a med school where everyone is the same - I want to go to a med school where there is diversity.

Yes, I definately agree, not all whites have the same opportunities as other whites and should be given some advantage (ie, being able to check disadvantaged background which is a URM on its own). I also don't like when people make such broad generalizations. I don't think it is fair, for example, say a white kid of a doc complains about URM status (disadvantaged, racial minority) when he or she is put in their own little advantage. If I had parents who were docs, darn it, I would too but I'd have no right for complaing about someone else getting an advantage.

Im all for diversity too!

 

[OSUdoc08]

Here is a theory:

A larger percentage of osteopathic medical schools are located in/train in/and serve rural areas (than allopathic schools.)

A smaller percentage of minorities are found in these areas.

Discussion?

 

[Raven Feather]

Here is a theory:

A larger percentage of osteopathic medical schools are located in/train in/and serve rural areas.

A smaller percentage of minorities are found in these areas.

Discussion?

That theory makes sense. Although when I interviewed at KCUMB--Kansas City which is one of the US's 50 largest cities, there didn't appear to be much diversity--but that was one interview day out of the cycle.

 

[hyperbaric]

I didn't run into black or hispanic students interviewing at COMP, CCOM, and TCOM.

My TCOM class has a few AA and many Latino/Asian/Indian students. Recently the school was recognized for their training of Hispanic physicians.

 

[OSUdoc08]

My TCOM class has a few AA and many Latino/Asian/Indian students. Recently the school was recognized for their training of Hispanic physicians.

Aren't hispanics the majority population in Texas, anyway?

 

[tara14]

Here is a theory:

A larger percentage of osteopathic medical schools are located in/train in/and serve rural areas (than allopathic schools.)

A smaller percentage of minorities are found in these areas.

Discussion?

That does make sense. In the rural town I grew up in, the job opportunities were very limited, there wasn't any public transportation to speak of, and the town was lacking in any culture. The largest "city" was about 45 minutes away. And if the town consists primarily of one race/culture and you are of another you may feel out of place and uncomfortable. But there are some osteopathic schools located in urban areas - I'm thinking of Nova and PCOM in particular. Do you think the percentage of minority students are higher in those schools than in more rural schools such as UNECOM?

 

[JohnUC33]

I'm a black American myself who will be attending WVSOM in the fall. At the WVSOM interview, there was one black guy (me) and an Indian/Arabian (didn't exactly ask her) . I saw quite a few Asians, and a few black students at WVSOM as well.

At the Pikeville interview, there was me and one other black . I saw several asian students on the campus, but no black students (probably because it was a Saturday). I no that Pikeville has at least one or two black students right now.

As for why black people don't apply to many DO schools, in my opinion, most black people are ignorant about the osteopathic profession. When I was coming up, we never heard of a DO. It was not until I started getting ready for the MCAT that I heard about the osteopathic profession. Plus, (I may be wrong about this), it would seem like most MD schools would be better able to give away more scholarships to attract black students.

As for this black guy, I had to stats to possibly get into a MD school( caribbean for sure). If I would have taken the MCAT one more time and waited a year, I probably could have gotten into a really competitive MD school (nice GPA, LORS, EC's). But I became convinced about the osteopathic philosophy and knew I wanted to become an osteopathic physician. To go to my well-known state MD school (UT Memphis) would be nice in a pride-full, look what I did sort of way...but I know I would be happier in the mountains of WV learning about osteopathic medicine 😀

 

[DarkWingDuck]

Oprah Winfrey's children shouldn't have an advantage over Steve Jobs' children. They are all highly advantaged...if they even exist. Any advantage should be determined by income and not race. And as Chris Rock said: But, if there's a tie, f--- em. (F the white guy that is)

 

[jbone]

And as Chris Rock said: But, if there's a tie, f--- em. (F the white guy that is)

👎

 

[blaze1306]

Oprah Winfrey's children shouldn't have an advantage over Steve Jobs' children. They are all highly advantaged...if they even exist. Any advantage should be determined by income and not race. And as Chris Rock said: But, if there's a tie, f--- em. (F the white guy that is)

I don't agree. A Black applicant should be given a small advantage because there just are not enough black applicants. I will admit I may be understating the number of black students that are applying. I don't believe there are that many. For example last semester at the University of Oklahoma I went to a seminar for health majors. There were about 125 people there 10-15 blacks(the vast majority was white, but this is oklahoma) Of all the people asked to raise their hands as pre-med myself and 1 other african american female raised our hands. All the others were a mixture of nursing, physical therapy and the like. This example has happened to me alot. For the past few semesters I've been the only black male in my upper level science courses, it's depressing.

 

[blaze1306]

I hope OSUDOC08 is right about having a number of african american students there. As an Okie I hope to get some consideration and get a spot at osucom.Since they only take 88 people and I am non-trad I hope I get in next year.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

For the past few semesters I've been the only black male in my upper level science courses, it's depressing.

Why is that depressing? As an URM myself..I take pride in the fact that i'm where i'm at..and I did it on my own. When I took classes and I didnt see any other A.A.s or Latinos...I enjoyed the fact that I would stick out. LOOK AT ME! I guess thats just my personality.

 

[blaze1306]

I'm disappointed there are not more African American students taking the plunge. I have to admit that without my own personal research into DO philosopy and medicine in general I never would have know of the option of becoming a DO. More African Americans should know more about DO's.

 

[CatsandCradles]

I'm a black American myself who will be attending WVSOM in the fall. At the WVSOM interview, there was one black guy (me) and an Indian/Arabian (didn't exactly ask her) . I saw quite a few Asians, and a few black students at WVSOM as well.

At the Pikeville interview, there was me and one other black . I saw several asian students on the campus, but no black students (probably because it was a Saturday). I no that Pikeville has at least one or two black students right now.

As for why black people don't apply to many DO schools, in my opinion, most black people are ignorant about the osteopathic profession. When I was coming up, we never heard of a DO. It was not until I started getting ready for the MCAT that I heard about the osteopathic profession. Plus, (I may be wrong about this), it would seem like most MD schools would be better able to give away more scholarships to attract black students.

As for this black guy, I had to stats to possibly get into a MD school( caribbean for sure). If I would have taken the MCAT one more time and waited a year, I probably could have gotten into a really competitive MD school (nice GPA, LORS, EC's). But I became convinced about the osteopathic philosophy and knew I wanted to become an osteopathic physician. To go to my well-known state MD school (UT Memphis) would be nice in a pride-full, look what I did sort of way...but I know I would be happier in the mountains of WV learning about osteopathic medicine 😀

Yay another West Virgina person! I'll be seeing you there!

 

[jbone]

I don't agree. A Black applicant should be given a small advantage because there just are not enough black applicants.

Why? Because you're black/latino/URM? Don't you want to finish something KNOWING you got in and accomplished all you have based upon your own merit and accomplishments? Or know that you got a nudge because of the color of your skin? Sound pretty dumb reasoning to me. 👎
Why can't a school just take the best applicant possible? Why is that so dumb? Just a question. What do ya'll think?