Applying as a Native American

[Lilbird123]

So I am 1/64 Choctaw with a card to prove it, but I am also 1/16 Comanche and am unable to make this official as you are only allowed to be enrolled in one tribe. I also had to enroll as Choctaw because I don't live in the Comanche counties, even though I am more Comanche. I only put native American instead of native American/white on my amcas application. I didn't do this to get ahead or anything like that I've just always put only native American on applications and the thought didn't occur to me to put white as well. I've been reading posts on here and I didn't realize that claiming to be native American was such a huge deal. My father does look native American but I really don't because my mom is very pale with light blue eyes which I inherited from her. I've been checking white and native american on my secondary applications every chance I get, but I'm still worried that I'm going to have issues when I go to interview. I don't want to be seen as dishonest, because I just thought oh I'm native american and checked the box on the application. I have good enough stats and ecs to get in without being native American, so I don't care if I get the urm boost or not; I'm just afraid this is going to hurt my chances. I will also add that I did all of my shadowing at my tribal hospital and have always considered myself native American. In my community light skinned native Americans are very common, I mean I'm from Oklahoma soo....But anyway I just would like some advice on how to handle this situation as I cannot go back and add white on my primary application now. I'm hoping that adding white and native american on my secondary apps when I can will clear things up for the admissions committees?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Lilbird123]

So I am 1/64 Choctaw with a card to prove it, but I am also 1/16 Comanche and am unable to make this official as you are only allowed to be enrolled in one tribe. I also had to enroll as Choctaw because I don't live in the Comanche counties, even though I am more Comanche. I only put native American instead of native American/white on my amcas application. I didn't do this to get ahead or anything like that I've just always put only native American on applications and the thought didn't occur to me to put white as well. I've been reading posts on here and I didn't realize that claiming to be native American was such a huge deal. My father does look native American but I really don't because my mom is very pale with light blue eyes which I inherited from her. I've been checking white and native american on my secondary applications every chance I get, but I'm still worried that I'm going to have issues when I go to interview. I don't want to be seen as dishonest, because I just thought oh I'm native american and checked the box on the application. I have good enough stats and ecs to get in without being native American, so I don't care if I get the urm boost or not; I'm just afraid this is going to hurt my chances. I will also add that I did all of my shadowing at my tribal hospital and have always considered myself native American. In my community light skinned native Americans are very common, I mean I'm from Oklahoma soo....But anyway I just would like some advice on how to handle this situation as I cannot go back and add white on my primary application now. I'm hoping that adding white and native american on my secondary apps when I can will clear things up for the admissions committees?

I might also add that I'm not one of those people completely disconnected from the culture and trying to claim it to get an advantage. I have grown up hearing stories about my grandmother's kaku (Comanche for grandmother) and I have been to powwows and other tribal events as well. It has always just been a part of my identity no matter how light my skin is.

 

[LizzyM]

Don't worry about it. It sounds like your hospital volunteering and the like has given you the street cred that you need to convince adcoms that you are the real deal and not just listing it in the hope of gaining an undeserved advantage.

 

[Lilbird123]

Don't worry about it. It sounds like your hospital volunteering and the like has given you the street cred that you need to convince adcoms that you are the real deal and not just listing it in the hope of gaining an undeserved advantage.

Thank you for your input. It was just me being completely absent-minded when filling out that section and not realizing that you could check multiple boxes which should have been obvious to me. I don't care about the boost I just don't want it to kill my application. If asked about it in an interview should I just say that it didn't occur to me to check both boxes when doing the primary application, because I have always just put native american on everything else?

 

[Lilbird123]

So I am 1/64 Choctaw with a card to prove it, but I am also 1/16 Comanche and am unable to make this official as you are only allowed to be enrolled in one tribe. I also had to enroll as Choctaw because I don't live in the Comanche counties, even though I am more Comanche. I only put native American instead of native American/white on my amcas application. I didn't do this to get ahead or anything like that I've just always put only native American on applications and the thought didn't occur to me to put white as well. I've been reading posts on here and I didn't realize that claiming to be native American was such a huge deal. My father does look native American but I really don't because my mom is very pale with light blue eyes which I inherited from her. I've been checking white and native american on my secondary applications every chance I get, but I'm still worried that I'm going to have issues when I go to interview. I don't want to be seen as dishonest, because I just thought oh I'm native american and checked the box on the application. I have good enough stats and ecs to get in without being native American, so I don't care if I get the urm boost or not; I'm just afraid this is going to hurt my chances. I will also add that I did all of my shadowing at my tribal hospital and have always considered myself native American. In my community light skinned native Americans are very common, I mean I'm from Oklahoma soo....But anyway I just would like some advice on how to handle this situation as I cannot go back and add white on my primary application now. I'm hoping that adding white and native american on my secondary apps when I can will clear things up for the admissions committees?

I also did not apply with a disadvantaged status

 

[Goro]

So I am 1/64 Choctaw with a card to prove it, but I am also 1/16 Comanche and am unable to make this official as you are only allowed to be enrolled in one tribe. I also had to enroll as Choctaw because I don't live in the Comanche counties, even though I am more Comanche. I only put native American instead of native American/white on my amcas application. I didn't do this to get ahead or anything like that I've just always put only native American on applications and the thought didn't occur to me to put white as well. I've been reading posts on here and I didn't realize that claiming to be native American was such a huge deal. My father does look native American but I really don't because my mom is very pale with light blue eyes which I inherited from her. I've been checking white and native american on my secondary applications every chance I get, but I'm still worried that I'm going to have issues when I go to interview. I don't want to be seen as dishonest, because I just thought oh I'm native american and checked the box on the application. I have good enough stats and ecs to get in without being native American, so I don't care if I get the urm boost or not; I'm just afraid this is going to hurt my chances. I will also add that I did all of my shadowing at my tribal hospital and have always considered myself native American. In my community light skinned native Americans are very common, I mean I'm from Oklahoma soo....But anyway I just would like some advice on how to handle this situation as I cannot go back and add white on my primary application now. I'm hoping that adding white and native american on my secondary apps when I can will clear things up for the admissions committees?

The fact that you have the tribal card means that you're not one of those Caucasians who miraculously discover thier Native American heritage when they apply to med schools. The fact that you have done your shadowing at your tribal hospital also means that you've walked the walk, and not merely talked the talk.

 

[Lilbird123]

The fact that you have the tribal card means that you're not one of those Caucasians who miraculously discover thier Native American heritage when they apply to med schools. The fact that you have done your shadowing at your tribal hospital also means that you've walked the walk, and not merely talked the talk.

I also plan to work there as a physician someday. That's been my goal from day one as a premed. It's good to know that I most likely won't be seen as dishonest. Obviously I would have to be an idiot to believe they would think I'm 100% native american when I go to interview. I have always just put it on applications for anything because it is unique and I identify with it. I guess I just assumed that anyone can obviously see that I'm white also, so I don't have to state it. But I am going to state it on secondary applications; I'm just worried about the schools that don't ask for it on the secondary app

 

[Goro]

I also plan to work there as a physician someday. That's been my goal from day one as a premed. It's good to know that I most likely won't be seen as dishonest. Obviously I would have to be an idiot to believe they would think I'm 100% native american when I go to interview. I have always just put it on applications for anything because it is unique and I identify with it. I guess I just assumed that anyone can obviously see that I'm white also, so I don't have to state it. But I am going to state it on secondary applications; I'm just worried about the schools that don't ask for it on the secondary app

So many unethical people have done what I wrote about that schools now want to see a tribal card and/or service to NA communities.

 

[rabbott1971]

Are you looking to stick around in-state? Your stats look really good for in-state admission to OU or OSU. I'm from Oklahoma too, applying in-state this cycle. Good luck!!

 

[Lilbird123]

So many unethical people have done what I wrote about that schools now want to see a tribal card and/or service to NA communities.

I honestly was not even concerned about the boost as my MCAT score and GPA are probably competitive at most places but top 20 schools. I hate that people do that and I just don't want to be seen as one of those people. I know I'm not much NA, but I am NA and it has always been a part of my life and my identity. Should I have my tribal card with me at interviews in case it comes up?

 

[Lilbird123]

Are you looking to stick around in-state? Your stats look really good for in-state admission to OU or OSU. I'm from Oklahoma too, applying in-state this cycle. Good luck!!

Yes, definitely OU is my top choice. I've applied out of state as well just because I have always heard it is good to apply broadly, but I definitely have my fingers crossed for an OU acceptance. Good luck to you as well!

 

[Professional Student]

Yes, definitely OU is my top choice. I've applied out of state as well just because I have always heard it is good to apply broadly, but I definitely have my fingers crossed for an OU acceptance. Good luck to you as well!

You already have 4 interview invites for MD schools? What schools are offering interviews so early?

 

[Lilbird123]

You already have 4 interview invites for MD schools? What schools are offering interviews so early?

Are you referring to my signature? No I mean secondaries lol I must be a little naive I thought II meant secondary applications haha I need to fix that

 

[Lilbird123]

I fixed it lol I'm glad I actually know what that means now!

 

[Goro]

I honestly was not even concerned about the boost as my MCAT score and GPA are probably competitive at most places but top 20 schools. I hate that people do that and I just don't want to be seen as one of those people. I know I'm not much NA, but I am NA and it has always been a part of my life and my identity. Should I have my tribal card with me at interviews in case it comes up?

I don't think that it would be necessary.

 

[Lilbird123]

I don't think that it would be necessary.

So I should be okay even though I look white? They aren't going to think I'm dishonest because I forgot to check white with native American?

 

[Professional Student]

I fixed it lol I'm glad I actually know what that means now!

Oh lol. The first time I saw it I thought it meant secondaries too, so you haven't been the only one!

 

[Goro]

So I should be okay even though I look white? They aren't going to think I'm dishonest because I forgot to check white with native American?

It couldn't hurt to bring the tribal card. I'd love to see one, personally.

Can the wise @gyngyn comment? I don't know if my school has ever had some NA applicants (our state MD school would sweep them up anyway)

 

[Lilbird123]

It couldn't hurt to bring the tribal card. I'd love to see one, personally.

Can the wise @gyngyn comment? I don't know if my school has ever had some NA applicants (our state MD school would sweep them up anyway)

I honestly usually carry it in my purse anyway so I'll likely have it on me if I am asked about it. I just feel like I should prove that I'm not lying since it is not apparent from looking at me that I'm NA.

 

[Goro]

I honestly usually carry it in my purse anyway so I'll likely have it on me if I am asked about it. I just feel like I should prove that I'm not lying since it is not apparent from looking at me that I'm NA.

This will NOT happen to you because you have such a stellar app, but I recall one SDNer who was a NA, and received something like 20 interviews. S/he was rejected at 19 because s/he didn't walk the walk. I don't remember if they had the tribal card or not, but I don't that would have been his/her saving grace.

 

[Lilbird123]

This will NOT happen to you because you have such a stellar app, but I recall one SDNer who was a NA, and received something like 20 interviews. S/he was rejected at 19 because s/he didn't walk the walk. I don't remember if they had the tribal card or not, but I don't that would have been his/her saving grace.

And I will also not be judged for "not being enough NA"? I mean if it comes down to a percentage overall I'm 8% but it has always been a part of my life and my tribe is involved in most aspects of my local community. So at the worst they may just consider me ORM? I'm okay with that.

 

[Goro]

And I will also not be judged for "not being enough NA"? I mean if it comes down to a percentage overall I'm 8% but it has always been a part of my life and my tribe is involved in most aspects of my local community. So at the worst they may just consider me ORM? I'm okay with that.

Nope, as I have mentioned...you have walked the walk.

Now I'm going to be blunt here: I consider 1/64th heritage of anything to be trivial. But the Choctaw Nation disagrees with me, so who am I to argue!?! ?

More importantly, you have demonstrated a commitment to service with NA populations. Thus, you are exactly the type of future doctor medical schools want. Cue howls of outrage and wailing and gnashing of teeth from hyper-achievers who think stats are the only criteria for judgement.

 

[Lilbird123]

Nope, as I have mentioned...you have walked the walk.

Now I'm going to be blunt here: I consider 1/64th heritage of anything to be trivial. But the Choctaw Nation disagrees with me, so who am I to argue!?! ?

More importantly, you have demonstrated a commitment to service with NA populations. Thus, you are exactly the type of future doctor medical schools want. Cue howls of outrage and wailing and gnashing of teeth from hyper-achievers who think stats are the only criteria for judgement.

I believe the Choctaw Nation has no cutoff, so basically if you can find Choctaw heritage in your family tree anywhere you can be a member. I would be more comfortable if I was able to register as a Comanche, but it is too late for that now. I can prove this as well though as my grandmother is a Comanche elder. And I do plan to work at my tribal hospital after med school so I will be serving the NA community and from what I've read that's the whole point of URM is to find people to serve these communities instead of it being about helping the individual person. Again if they simply consider me ORM that will be okay, I just don't want to be labeled a fraud for not adding white on my app (which was a dumb mistake).

 

[Goro]

I believe the Choctaw Nation has no cutoff, so basically if you can find Choctaw heritage in your family tree anywhere you can be a member. I would be more comfortable if I was able to register as a Comanche, but it is too late for that now. I can prove this as well though as my grandmother is a Comanche elder. And I do plan to work at my tribal hospital after med school so I will be serving the NA community and from what I've read that's the whole point of URM is to find people to serve these communities instead of it being about helping the individual person. Again if they simply consider me ORM that will be okay, I just don't want to be labeled a fraud for not adding white on my app (which was a dumb mistake).

You will be more than fine. So chill!

 

[Lilbird123]

You will be more than fine. So chill!

You will be more than fine. So chill!

Thank you @Goro for calming my neurotic pre med self down! Haha

 

[Goro]

Thank you @Goro for calming my neurotic pre med self down! Haha

Gonnif's Valium salt lick is that way ---->