As a URM, which schools should I definitely apply to?

[1cor1311]

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I understand there is a URM advantage across the board, however are there any schools in particular that i should make sure and apply to as a hispanic applicant with average to good stats at most schools?

I received letters after my MCAT from various school's diversity offices encouraging me to apply. I know this is a screen and not a great indicator (received letters from Columbia and Harvard as well, when my stats are significantly below their average) but im compiling my list of schools to apply to next cycle and i would hate to take one off of my list that i could have potentially been a good candidate for as a URM.

Thanks fam.

 

[Moosepig]

What'd you get? I imagine if you scored 28+ the answer would be anywhere.

 

[AnthonyBourdain]

Boston University! BU!

My crazy friend who is a URM almost didn't apply. I made her submit a last minuet app and bam! II

check out MSAR, You have to do the math yourself but BU along with a few other schools tend to have large numbers of URMs in their class. Add up the total students and the # of URMs and compare the percentages. It's been a while so don't quote me but BU is at 20%? (check for yourself please).

It might be helpful to make a chart and post it on SDN for various school and the % of URMs in the class so people can effectively narrow down schools to apply to.

 

[clothcut]

The way this post is written almost makes me think that you're trolling.

 

[1cor1311]

What'd you get? I imagine if you scored 28+ the answer would be anywhere.

30 first try after a summer of studying. Want to score higher but no longer have the time to study.

 

[1cor1311]

Boston University! BU!

My crazy friend who is a URM almost didn't apply. I made her submit a last minuet app and bam! II

check out MSAR, You have to do the math yourself but BU along with a few other schools tend to have large numbers of URMs in their class. Add up the total students and the # of URMs and compare the percentages. It's been a while so don't quote me but BU is at 20%? (check for yourself please).

It might be helpful to make a chart and post it on SDN for various school and the % of URMs in the class so people can effectively narrow down schools to apply to.

I have the MSAR online version. I have been looking at number of matriculants that are hispanic, the only thing is those are matriculants. It would be nice to see acceptances (its possible that a lot of URM applicants were accepted but chose elsewhere). Just wondering if this applied to anyone via their school their situation, or a friends as you mentioned.
Thanks so much I have an excel sheet ill make another column👍

 

[AnthonyBourdain]

I have the MSAR online version. I have been looking at number of matriculants that are hispanic, the only thing is those are matriculants. It would be nice to see acceptances (its possible that a lot of URM applicants were accepted but chose elsewhere). Just wondering if this applied to anyone via their school their situation, or a friends as you mentioned.
Thanks so much I have an excel sheet ill make another column👍

Here is a list from what I remember. You should add to this. This would really be helpful for people applying on a budget.

URM friendly schools criteria: 20%+ of class URMs

Boston University
Columbia
Dartmouth

 

[Irish Football]

all of them.

 

[MedPR]

Here is a list from what I remember. You should add to this. This would really be helpful for people applying on a budget.

URM friendly schools criteria: 20%+ of class URMs

Boston University
Columbia
Dartmouth

Well, Columbia and Dartmouth are still... Columbia and Dartmouth. URMs with below-average stats still won't have a chance at those schools.

Anecdotally I can vouch for BU though. <3.1/33 and I have an ii this cycle.

 

[AnthonyBourdain]

Here is a list from what I remember. You should add to this. This would really be helpful for people applying on a budget.

URM friendly schools criteria: 20%+ of class URMs

Boston University
Columbia
Dartmouth
Tufts

Tufts has a relatively large # of AAs in their class and they aren't exactly in the same group as Columbia or Dartmouth.

 

[AnthonyBourdain]

Well, Columbia and Dartmouth are still... Columbia and Dartmouth. URMs with below-average stats still won't have a chance at those schools.

Anecdotally I can vouch for BU though. <3.1/33 and I have an ii this cycle.

Yeah, I made a list like this for someone back when they were applying and they were an "above average URM" so this school list might be skewed.

 

[MedPR]

I believe Mayo actually does too.

 

[gyngyn]

Hispanic may or may not be UIM. Depending on the school your chances will differ.

 

[RomanTaylor]

(facepalm)

Why...oh why...does being an URM bear any weight on which schools you apply to?

Dude...just...COME ON, NOW!!! Way to feed into the stereotype.

 

[MedPR]

(facepalm)

Why...oh why...does being an URM bear any weight on which schools you apply to?

Dude...just...COME ON, NOW!!! Way to feed into the stereotype.

😕

 

[AnthonyBourdain]

(facepalm)

Why...oh why...does being an URM bear any weight on which schools you apply to?

Dude...just...COME ON, NOW!!! Way to feed into the stereotype.

I second what MedPR just said.

People have limited resources and apply to schools that they think will accept them. This process is expensive and I'm sure there are many people on here who wish they had a list like this when applying.

 

[RomanTaylor]

Nevermind, no he didn't.

Perhaps I am being overly sensitive. But using "URM" as your main quality for applying to Medical School, especially without posting any other stats, smacks of "I am a minority, so based on that, what schools will take me?"

Struck me wrong.

 

[1cor1311]

(facepalm)

Why...oh why...does being an URM bear any weight on which schools you apply to?

Dude...just...COME ON, NOW!!! Way to feed into the stereotype.

Yes, im trying to best compile my school list according to my finances. I work cleaning up at a restaurant minimum wage trying to save up.Thankfully i got a new job that will start next month that is full time so i can save more, but i have bills expenses etc. I will be applying for the FAP and hopefully gain 14 free school applications. To clarify what i intended by this thread, i meant more along the lines of "Hey everyone I can't apply to too many schools, but being a URM are there any schools i should make sure and apply to since i am applying as a URM".

Why can't we just help each other out on SDN? Thats the purpose, not put eachother down.

 

[RomanTaylor]

That is fine.

Perhaps you can give us more to go on, instead of waving the "URM" flag and expecting us to help you find schools based on that alone.

The standard...you know; GPA, MCAT, ECs. Medical schools do not accept you just because you are under-represented. At least I hope they don't. It would make that one black character in "House of God" uncomfortably real for me.

There are not any, "you're Hispanic, therefore this school will be a sure shot for you" Medical schools. And asking for a list of them would be, in my opinion, exploitative.

 

[AnthonyBourdain]

That is fine.

Perhaps you can give us more to go on, instead of waving the "URM" flag and expecting us to help you find schools based on that alone.

The standard...you know; GPA, MCAT, ECs. Medical schools do not accept you just because you are under-represented. At least I hope they don't. It would make that one black character in "House of God" uncomfortably real for me.

There are not any, "you're Hispanic, therefore this school will be a sure shot for you" Medical schools. And asking for a list of them would be, in my opinion, exploitative.

The AA thread seems to have you all riled up. 😉

Most people know there is no "sure shot" for anyone in med school but for many people and URMs in particular it can be hard to gauge which schools might accept them. Most people can't afford to apply to "all of them". This gives him another column to add on his list of factors to consider when applying.

 

[myronnie]

That is fine.

Perhaps you can give us more to go on, instead of waving the "URM" flag and expecting us to help you find schools based on that alone.

The standard...you know; GPA, MCAT, ECs. Medical schools do not accept you just because you are under-represented. At least I hope they don't. It would make that one black character in "House of God" uncomfortably real for me.

There are not any, "you're Hispanic, therefore this school will be a sure shot for you" Medical schools. And asking for a list of them would be, in my opinion, exploitative.

you sound like some of my friends...get the chip of your shoulder man...you've probably experienced a lot of racially charged situations in your career but you'll probably experience more. Gotta get the chip off and just take it easy.
I'm an AA female btw.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

That is fine.

Perhaps you can give us more to go on, instead of waving the "URM" flag and expecting us to help you find schools based on that alone.

The standard...you know; GPA, MCAT, ECs. Medical schools do not accept you just because you are under-represented. At least I hope they don't. It would make that one black character in "House of God" uncomfortably real for me.

There are not any, "you're Hispanic, therefore this school will be a sure shot for you" Medical schools. And asking for a list of them would be, in my opinion, exploitative.

Honestly, anything that can ease the neuroticism of this process is something worth pursuing, especially if it's something that, at least anecdotally has yielded good results. It's clear that the OP isn't making URM the basis of application, but is trying to find as much use out of it as possible, given how useful it MAY be.

To OP: as you go through this, don't forget about other aspects of the school - their mission, level of emphasis on research/underserved work, etc. URM is one thing to consider, but as Roman said, there's much more that goes into an applicant.

 

[La Presse]

Your state schools.

 

[AnthonyBourdain]

Your state schools.

And the state school of any state that surrounds your state.

 

[tonguetalker]

Okay, Im speaking from my own experience here but even if you are below the averages for top schools, if you are above the average over all the other minorities then you will have a decent shot. Think about it this way, according to the AAMC data, about 200 blacks applied and were accepted with a 3.4+ gpa and a 30+ mcat. If you look at the data, there are more than 200 blacks in the top 20 schools so if you fall in there you'd have a great shot. While that's not stellar for most people, consider those 200 black kids are only a small fraction of who apply to those schools.

 

[gyngyn]

Okay, Im speaking from my own experience here but even if you are below the averages for top schools, if you are above the average over all the other minorities then you will have a decent shot. Think about it this way, according to the AAMC data, about 200 blacks applied and were accepted with a 3.4+ gpa and a 30+ mcat. If you look at the data, there are more than 200 blacks in the top 20 schools so if you fall in there you'd have a great shot. While that's not stellar for most people, consider those 200 black kids are only a small fraction of who apply to those schools.

Only if he is UIM. His Hispanic designation may not be depending on the school.

 

[flodhi1]

Underrepresented in Medicine Definition


On March 19, 2004, the AAMC Executive Committee adopted a clarification to its definition of "underrepresented in medicine" following the Supreme Court's decision in Grutter.

The AAMC definition of underrepresented in medicine is:

"Underrepresented in medicine means those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population."

Adopted by the AAMC's Executive Council on June 26, 2003, the definition helps medical schools accomplish three important objectives:

a shift in focus from a fixed aggregation of four racial and ethnic groups to a continually evolving underlying reality. The definition accommodates including and removing underrepresented groups on the basis of changing demographics of society and the profession,
a shift in focus from a national perspective to a regional or local perspective on underrepresentation, and
stimulate data collection and reporting on the broad range of racial and ethnic self-descriptions.
Before June 26, 2003, the AAMC used the term "underrepresented minority (URM)," which consisted of Blacks, Mexican-Americans, Native Americans (that is, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians), and mainland Puerto Ricans. The AAMC remains committed to ensuring access to medical education and medicine-related careers for individuals from these four historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups.

OP you need to verify first if you truly are URM. Most schools strictly consider " African Americans, Mexican-Americans, Native Americans (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians), Pacific Islanders, and mainland Puerto Ricans" as URM.

https://www.aamc.org/initiatives/urm/

 

[gyngyn]

OP you need to verify first if you truly are URM. Most schools strictly consider " African Americans, Mexican-Americans, Native Americans (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians), Pacific Islanders, and mainland Puerto Ricans" as URM.

https://www.aamc.org/initiatives/urm/

Exactly.

 

[1cor1311]

OP you need to verify first if you truly are URM. Most schools strictly consider " African Americans, Mexican-Americans, Native Americans (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians), Pacific Islanders, and mainland Puerto Ricans" as URM.

https://www.aamc.org/initiatives/urm/

Yes, father immigrated from Mexico, mother immigrated from El Salvador. Both came here in their late teens.

 

[1cor1311]

Only if he is UIM. His Hispanic designation may not be depending on the school.

What is UIM exactly?

 

[1cor1311]

And the state school of any state that surrounds your state.

I did not know that neighboring states gave preference? Is that true of all states?.

 

[La Presse]

I did not know that neighboring states gave preference? Is that true of all states?.

Some. Like Arizona gives TX, OK and NM preference over NJ and others. It is a geographic bias.

 

[1cor1311]

Honestly, anything that can ease the neuroticism of this process is something worth pursuing, especially if it's something that, at least anecdotally has yielded good results. It's clear that the OP isn't making URM the basis of application, but is trying to find as much use out of it as possible, given how useful it MAY be.

To OP: as you go through this, don't forget about other aspects of the school - their mission, level of emphasis on research/underserved work, etc. URM is one thing to consider, but as Roman said, there's much more that goes into an applicant.

Yes definitely, these things are what narrow down my list of schools primarily, Thank you

 

[1cor1311]

Some. Like Arizona gives TX, OK and NM preference over NJ and others. It is a geographic bias.

Interesting, I'll do my research on this thank you so much

 

[1cor1311]

That is fine.

Perhaps you can give us more to go on, instead of waving the "URM" flag and expecting us to help you find schools based on that alone.

The standard...you know; GPA, MCAT, ECs. Medical schools do not accept you just because you are under-represented. At least I hope they don't. It would make that one black character in "House of God" uncomfortably real for me.

There are not any, "you're Hispanic, therefore this school will be a sure shot for you" Medical schools. And asking for a list of them would be, in my opinion, exploitative.

Thanks for the help, if you notice the title of the thread, i did not say which schools will accept me because im URM. Just trying to do my best to be accepted into medical school like everyone else 🙂

But i know where your coming from, i never had a free ticket in anything growing up. Im definitely not looking for one now, nor think that anyone deserves one. Its hard work to get into med school, But im willing to put in the effort.

Thanks for the advice best of luck👍

 

[gyngyn]

What is UIM exactly?

It stands for Under-represented In Medicine. This designation better illustrates that special consideration is not to benefit the applicant, but rather to address the fact that on a percentage basis some groups are not getting their money's worth on their tax dollars (to the medical schools) if we continue to turn out physicians who are likely to work in overserved areas to overserved clients. This may pertain to any under-served group and is not necessarily race conscious (though it often is).

 

[1cor1311]

It stands for Under-represented In Medicine. This designation better illustrates that special consideration is not to benefit the applicant, but rather to address the fact that on a percentage basis some groups are not getting their money's worth on their tax dollars (to the medical schools) if we continue to turn out physicians who are likely to work in overserved areas to overserved clients. This may pertain to any under-served group and is not necessarily race conscious (though it often is).

Does UIM=URM?

 

[Narmerguy]

Moving to WAMC.

As a note, I think you'll find more success just applying to schools for which your stats are well fitted than trying to find schools which seem to have a special affinity for minorities. The % of minorities at a school tells you nothing about their qualifications, how many minorities applied, or what their expectations are. Do your normal due diligence, check MSAR, check the gpa/mcat ranges, etc etc.

 

[gyngyn]

Does UIM=URM?

UIM includes but may not be limited to URM.

 

[Corriefangirl]

Okay, Im speaking from my own experience here but even if you are below the averages for top schools, if you are above the average over all the other minorities then you will have a decent shot. Think about it this way, according to the AAMC data, about 200 blacks applied and were accepted with a 3.4+ gpa and a 30+ mcat. If you look at the data, there are more than 200 blacks in the top 20 schools so if you fall in there you'd have a great shot. While that's not stellar for most people, consider those 200 black kids are only a small fraction of who apply to those schools.

sorry I'm a little confused lol. So is the data saying that there were only 200 black applicants with those stats (3.4+, 30+)? (I have above those stats and I'm a black female but playing the waiting game is getting me so nervous about my chances for acceptance)

 

[TXKnight]

Nevermind, no he didn't.

Perhaps I am being overly sensitive. But using "URM" as your main quality for applying to Medical School, especially without posting any other stats, smacks of "I am a minority, so based on that, what schools will take me?"

Struck me wrong.

It actually strikes me wrong too. I was just reading a thread about URM admissions and this idea that there is open door to any URM permeates SDN. I don't belive so. Like medPR said, many URM's without good stats just won't get in.

 

[TXKnight]

That is fine.

Perhaps you can give us more to go on, instead of waving the "URM" flag and expecting us to help you find schools based on that alone.

The standard...you know; GPA, MCAT, ECs. Medical schools do not accept you just because you are under-represented. At least I hope they don't. It would make that one black character in "House of God" uncomfortably real for me.

There are not any, "you're Hispanic, therefore this school will be a sure shot for you" Medical schools. And asking for a list of them would be, in my opinion, exploitative.

True.

 

[JessebenBenjamin]

I have the MSAR online version. I have been looking at number of matriculants that are hispanic, the only thing is those are matriculants. It would be nice to see acceptances (its possible that a lot of URM applicants were accepted but chose elsewhere). Just wondering if this applied to anyone via their school their situation, or a friends as you mentioned.
Thanks so much I have an excel sheet ill make another column👍

Can you look up matriculant averages from a particular school based on ethnic background on the MSAR? I just got it, and honestly I still don't know how to use it very well.

 

[ChemEngMD]

Can you look up matriculant averages from a particular school based on ethnic background on the MSAR? I just got it, and honestly I still don't know how to use it very well.

No you can not and for the record you just bumped a 2.5 year old thread.