Can you be TOO ethnic?

[Pkboi24]

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Let me start off by saying that I'm Chinese-American, hardly a URM when it comes to medical schools.

When I was listing my extracurriculars, it seemed to me that the majority of the ECs I was involved in were Asian-interest. This was obviously an unconscious move, as I have absolutely nothing against non-asians, but I think we can all agree that we are subconsciously drawn to those like us.

I have over 1000+ hours of clinical experience, but other than that, most of my leadership positions (I have many) have been Asian interest.

My question is: Does it reflect badly upon me as an applicant? Will adcomms think that I lack diversity? Can I be too ethnic?

I certainly don't want to be thought be as someone "reppin' aZn Pryde", for that is not at all who I am.

Let me know what you think.

EDIT*

These are my asian-interest related activities:

Asian Business Students Association (Social Director then Historian. I have a business minor.)

Liberty in North Korea - A human rights organization (Co-founder, Public relations director then Co-executive Director)

I organized a protest in front of the Houston Chinese Consulate for North Korean Human Rights.

I taught Chinese at a chinese school

Cantonese organization (Founder & Vice President) but that was just another social org so I soon got bored and quit.

I have a medical internship coming this summer in Shanghai, China.

3.5 out of my 5 LOR writers are Asian. (I say 3.5 becuase one is half-japanese, although she taught my "Asian American Cultural Identity Class")

 

[crazy_cavalier]

No, you cannot be "too ethnic", unless of course you start singing our national anthem in a foreign (read: non-English) language.

God Bless.

 

[PariPari]

Do not write the ps lIeK Dis n wE B aight

"reppin' aZn Pryde".

i've got tons (a few) "ethnic" ECs & I don't think it's a bad thing, showed my community involvement & all that type stuff

 

[nmnrraven]

Let me know what you think.

It's not bad at all. In fact, your dedication to asian oriented groups and activities lines you up perfectly to say that you are interested in helping improve healthcare in those areas. You could also say that it would help you deal with asian patients. No one will say that you're too involved with one group. Or, I should say no one logical will.

 

[8744]

Yes. You can be too ethnic. There are people at my church who came from Greece fifty years ago and still have trouble with English, insist on speaking Greek to me (which I speak) and make too much of a big deal over how they are "GREEK-american." It's annoying.

 

[windzilla]

Yes. You can be too ethnic. There are people at my church who came from Greece fifty years ago and still have trouble with English, insist on speaking Greek to me (which I speak) and make too much of a big deal over how they are "GREEK-american." It's annoying.

I agree, kind of-

I guess its not how ethnic you are, its how you use it.

Throwing something in someones face is not going to win friends (or admissions). Showing leadership and dedication will. IE over emphasizing your ehtnicity might bite you in the butt, (as opposed to emphasizing actuall achivements which, of course, is what applications are all about) It sounds like the OP isn't as worried about throwing it in peoples faces, as they are a negative view of activities due to there ethnic association. I would imagine adcoms would focus on the achivement aspect of your EC's if that is how you write them up.

 

[Iwy Em Hotep]

Yes. You can be too ethnic. There are people at my church who came from Greece fifty years ago and still have trouble with English, insist on speaking Greek to me (which I speak) and make too much of a big deal over how they are "GREEK-american." It's annoying.

Do they carry Windex everywhere too? 😉

 

[Rafa]

"Being ethnic" is like "being" cool. It shouldn't be a conscious activity or effort - it should simply be a part of you that you don't draw attention to, like the fact that you have ten fingers - if you go around chattering about '(insert ethnic) pride' or whatnot, that'll just be UNcool.

 

[riceman04]

"Being ethnic" is like "being" cool. It shouldn't be a conscious activity or effort - it should simply be a part of you that you don't draw attention to, like the fact that you have ten fingers - if you go around chattering about '(insert ethnic) pride' or whatnot, that'll just be UNcool.

yeah...like I am going to have to cut my fro after I take out my corn rows before I go on any interview.

A black man with nappy hair (although I have been told that I have really good hair for a afr. amer) is an old white man's/woman's worst nightmare.

 

[airflare]

In this case, I think you can be too ethnic. My observation is that at my school, and every other school that I know of, the Asian-interest groups are more like social cliques under the guise of a "cultural-awareness organization." Of course, I'm not saying that they are entirely exclusive of cultural-awareness--just that it definitely does not seem to be their priority. This may not be the case at your school.

I have some friends in medical school who advise not to put too much emphasis on being part of numerous Asian organizations partly because they believe that med schools also see these clubs as primarily social gatherings, but more because it looks limiting: you seem to care only about those with similar ethnicity and isolate yourself from others, but in medicine you will be caring for the whole spectrum.

 

[reylting]

yeah...like I am going to have to cut my fro after I take out my corn rows before I go on any interview.

A black man with nappy hair (although I have been told that I have really good hair for a afr. amer) is an old white man's/woman's worst nightmare.

Naw man let that mess grow. Then bob your head so that you can feel the wind through the fro.

 

[8744]

Do they carry Windex everywhere too? 😉

That movie was so funny because it wasn't even that much of an exxageration.

 

[thefafo]

I think you can be thought of as too ethnic by others. I was complimented in one of my interviews because he said most persian girls he has encountered tended to stay within theiry own culture, but my flamenco guitar and other language studies showed I had varied interests.

 

[rajad10]

i think you would be just the right amount of ethnic if your username wasnt spelled "boi"

 

[PurpleHaze]

I'd only mention the Asian orgs in which you played a large role or held a leadership role in. I understand where you're coming from because I was over involved with the Asian community on my campus as well. As long as you have some significant things to talk about during your interviews regarding those organizations you should be fine. But if you were just a member of the org. and didn't do much, I'd leave it off.

 

[Pkboi24]

I think you can be thought of as too ethnic by others. I was complimented in one of my interviews because he said most persian girls he has encountered tended to stay within theiry own culture, but my flamenco guitar and other language studies showed I had varied interests.

Yeah, that's exactly what I was worried about. Not that I'm a Persian girl by any sense of the term, but I didn't actively try to join only Asian organizations, it just happened. Texas can be a frightening place, ignorant people are everywhere. I've been called "a Chink" or "Ching Chong" more times than I can count while barhopping or "Yao Ming" by homeless people just walking down the street. (I'm not even that tall, only 6'1) As a result, I have numerous homicide charges pending investigation.

Okay, just kidding. But seriously, since I did this subconsciously, how should I defend myself should an interviewer get on my case about it?

 

[PurpleHaze]

I don't think any interviewer is going to get on your case about it. I mean it's what you're interested in and it's part of your heritage/culture. You can tell them that you kind of fell into some of the organizations if they ask why so many. Tie in networking with that one. Like for instance, my school was so small that in order to maintain some of the orgs, a lot of the members had to overlap in order to have enough people to get things done. It was a good way to learn about new cultures and meet new people. As a doctor, you're going to come across all different types of people and different cultures... so you can tie that in somewhere too if necessary.

 

[Pkboi24]

I just started a "Any Chinese Pre-meds out there" Thread...I can't stop, help me.

 

[Doglover4fever]

Let me start off by saying that I'm Chinese-American, hardly a URM when it comes to medical schools.

When I was listing my extracurriculars, it seemed to me that the majority of the ECs I was involved in were Asian-interest. This was obviously an unconscious move, as I have absolutely nothing against non-asians, but I think we can all agree that we are subconsciously drawn to those like us.

I have over 1000+ hours of clinical experience, but other than that, most of my leadership positions (I have many) have been Asian interest.

My question is: Does it reflect badly upon me as an applicant? Will adcomms think that I lack diversity? Can I be too ethnic?

I certainly don't want to be thought be as someone "reppin' aZn Pryde", for that is not at all who I am.

Let me know what you think.

I would not worry. As long as you are fluent in english and can communicate well in the interview, I don't think you can be "too ethnic." There is nothing wrong with being deeply involved in activities related to your cultural background.

 

[DrHuang]

I've been called "a Chink" or "Ching Chong" more times than I can count while barhopping or "Yao Ming" by homeless people just walking down the street.

the homeless like to call me bruce lee. i tell them damn straight!

 

[Slide]

I have the same problem; a ton of my activities are in the Asian community. I asked my pre-med advisors, and they said the way to balance it is to also elaborate on other non-ethnic activities, like other clubs or interests (fraternities, talents, sports, etc.). The good thing about it, though, is that you can show dedication. As long as you don't focus on that as your main point, you should be fine; focusing too much on ethnic activities may make them wonder, "If you're so interested in this, why be a doctor? It would seem more suited for you to go into social/civil field."

 

[Thundrstorm]

There is nothing wrong with valuing your own culture; I don't expect this will be a big problem. Were these all Asian cultural organizations? Did any of them deal with diversity more generally or anti-bias? My college had an Asian American organization, but just one, so I'm trying to picture what these multiple EC could be... they may be more varied than you think.

 

[adiddas125]

I dont think anyone can knock you for joining your groups, and being from a certain culture. When you list these activities on the AMCAS, you certainly want to be sure and explain how these activities helped you become a richer, and mature individual. If your student groups that you joined were active in diversity then its a plus, but only list it if you really understand why you joined it... ick my coffee is starting wear off... another cup for me!

 

[Its_MurDAH]

In this case, I think you can be too ethnic. My observation is that at my school, and every other school that I know of, the Asian-interest groups are more like social cliques under the guise of a "cultural-awareness organization." Of course, I'm not saying that they are entirely exclusive of cultural-awareness--just that it definitely does not seem to be their priority. This may not be the case at your school.

I have some friends in medical school who advise not to put too much emphasis on being part of numerous Asian organizations partly because they believe that med schools also see these clubs as primarily social gatherings, but more because it looks limiting: you seem to care only about those with similar ethnicity and isolate yourself from others, but in medicine you will be caring for the whole spectrum.

I think I have to partly agree with this. The Asian/Indian clubs and organizations at my school were also a joke and were there just so people could hang out and chill, basically shoot the sh1t - I know cuz i was a part of a couple of them. I didn't put much emphasis on those activities (or any, actually) because it isn't something that taught me much.

If you have a sh1tload of activities involving people of your own ethnicity, I think you should be fine as long as the experience was worthwhile and you gained something significant out of it - be it working at a chinese church or being a member of asian student alliance.

 

[Jacks Mannequin]

No, you cannot be "too ethnic", unless of course you start singing our national anthem in a foreign (read: non-English) language.

God Bless.

Kinda like Dubya did when campaigning in 2000. 😉


Yeah, I haven't joined the India club here and I don't really think I will. I hope I don't see to 'unethnic.'

 

[XildUpNawth]

It sucks that you even have to think about this. You should be able to be who you are without worrying that it will make you look "too" anything. Most of my EC's are from groups that could be considered mostly white, and I probably joined them because, like you, I was comfortable in them. Thanks for the insight into what it's like to not be part of the majority. It is too easy for me as a white girl to forget that just being yourself can be a source of stress for people of other races/ethnicities.

 

[Pkboi24]

I think I have to partly agree with this. The Asian/Indian clubs and organizations at my school were also a joke and were there just so people could hang out and chill, basically shoot the sh1t - I know cuz i was a part of a couple of them. I didn't put much emphasis on those activities (or any, actually) because it isn't something that taught me much.

If you have a sh1tload of activities involving people of your own ethnicity, I think you should be fine as long as the experience was worthwhile and you gained something significant out of it - be it working at a chinese church or being a member of asian student alliance.

Hey! Its Murdah! How's it goin bro?

I know what you mean, I tried not to join the social organizations because they were pretty pointless. The organizations I'm in have specific interests other than "Asians Unite. I was in:

Asian Business Students Association (Social Director then Historian. I have a business minor.)

Liberty in North Korea - A human rights organization (Co-founder, Public relations director then Co-executive Director)

I organized a protest in front of the Houston Chinese Consulate for North Korean Human Rights.

I taught Chinese at a chinese school

Cantonese organization (Founder & Vice President) but that was just another social org so I soon got bored and quit.

I have a medical internship coming this summer in Shanghai, China.

3.5 out of my 5 LOR writers are Asian. (I say 3.5 becuase one is half-japanese, although she taught my "Asian American Cultural Identity Class")

I think everything about my app screams "I'm asian". This is why I feel like I might be too ethnic.

 

[adiddas125]

You cant change the essence of who you are! Perhaps being "too ethnic" might be what makes you a unique individual.

 

[Its_MurDAH]

Hey! Its Murdah! How's it goin bro?

I know what you mean, I tried not to join the social organizations because they were pretty pointless. The organizations I'm in have specific interests other than "Asians Unite. I was in:

Asian Business Students Association (Social Director then Historian. I have a business minor.)

Liberty in North Korea - A human rights organization (Co-founder, Public relations director then Co-executive Director)

I organized a protest in front of the Houston Chinese Consulate for North Korean Human Rights.

I taught Chinese at a chinese school

Cantonese organization (Founder & Vice President) but that was just another social org so I soon got bored and quit.

I have a medical internship coming this summer in Shanghai, China.

3.5 out of my 5 LOR writers are Asian. (I say 3.5 becuase one is half-japanese, although she taught my "Asian American Cultural Identity Class")

I think everything about my app screams "I'm asian". This is why I feel like I might be too ethnic.

sup man,
I think those EC's are exceptional. You should have no problem getting into med school. When i read those I didn't really think about how ethnic they all sounded. Honestly, all i saw was that you protested for something you believed in, medical internship, business students assoc., and that you taught chinese. I doubt you will be chastised for sounding "too asian" on your app. good luck.

PS: Was this half-japanese teacher a looker? I had this half chinese-half caucasian teacher for english and she was a def cutie. She was also only like 25 yrs old.

 

[Pkboi24]

sup man,
I think those EC's are exceptional. You should have no problem getting into med school. When i read those I didn't really think about how ethnic they all sounded. Honestly, all i saw was that you protested for something you believed in, medical internship, business students assoc., and that you taught chinese. I doubt you will be chastised for sounding "too asian" on your app. good luck.

PS: Was this half-japanese teacher a looker? I had this half chinese-half caucasian teacher for english and she was a def cutie. She was also only like 25 yrs old.

Sorry to dissappoint, but she is a lesbian, about 5'3-5'4, ~140 lbs. Great teacher/mentor though. She changed my life.

 

[Its_MurDAH]

Sorry to dissappoint, but she is a lesbian, about 5'3-5'4, ~140 lbs. Great teacher/mentor though. She changed my life.

That still doesn't answer my question though.

Is she a looker?

 

[Pkboi24]

That still doesn't answer my question though.

Is she a looker?

😉 I suppose, if you like to look at men. Haha.

 

[Doglover4fever]

Hey! Its Murdah! How's it goin bro?

I know what you mean, I tried not to join the social organizations because they were pretty pointless. The organizations I'm in have specific interests other than "Asians Unite. I was in:

Asian Business Students Association (Social Director then Historian. I have a business minor.)

Liberty in North Korea - A human rights organization (Co-founder, Public relations director then Co-executive Director)

I organized a protest in front of the Houston Chinese Consulate for North Korean Human Rights.

I taught Chinese at a chinese school

Cantonese organization (Founder & Vice President) but that was just another social org so I soon got bored and quit.

I have a medical internship coming this summer in Shanghai, China.

3.5 out of my 5 LOR writers are Asian. (I say 3.5 becuase one is half-japanese, although she taught my "Asian American Cultural Identity Class")

I think everything about my app screams "I'm asian". This is why I feel like I might be too ethnic.

You seem like a pretty impressive candidate. I would not worry too much. You have lots of impressive ECs! If you want to, you may want to find one or two non-asian letter writers, just to balance things out. Judging by your profile, you are only applying to Texas schools, yes? This could be a mistake. You are a very strong applicant, apply more broadly!!! You may want to end up in Texas, which you have a good shot at, but you don't want to end up empty handed either. Just a suggestion

 

[CSLITO]

Food cannot be too ethnic. Sometimes a little too spicy.

 

[xJH3nDR1x]

Let me start off by saying that I'm Chinese-American, hardly a URM when it comes to medical schools.

When I was listing my extracurriculars, it seemed to me that the majority of the ECs I was involved in were Asian-interest. This was obviously an unconscious move, as I have absolutely nothing against non-asians, but I think we can all agree that we are subconsciously drawn to those like us.

I have over 1000+ hours of clinical experience, but other than that, most of my leadership positions (I have many) have been Asian interest.

My question is: Does it reflect badly upon me as an applicant? Will adcomms think that I lack diversity? Can I be too ethnic?

I certainly don't want to be thought be as someone "reppin' aZn Pryde", for that is not at all who I am.

Let me know what you think.

EDIT*

These are my asian-interest related activities:

Asian Business Students Association (Social Director then Historian. I have a business minor.)

Liberty in North Korea - A human rights organization (Co-founder, Public relations director then Co-executive Director)

I organized a protest in front of the Houston Chinese Consulate for North Korean Human Rights.

I taught Chinese at a chinese school

Cantonese organization (Founder & Vice President) but that was just another social org so I soon got bored and quit.

I have a medical internship coming this summer in Shanghai, China.

3.5 out of my 5 LOR writers are Asian. (I say 3.5 becuase one is half-japanese, although she taught my "Asian American Cultural Identity Class")

I wouldn't worry about it. Adcoms don't read in that deeply of the racial motivations for your ECs unless you call it to their attention. They just want to see that you were involved in something.

 

[Hercules022]

I could see an adcom wondering if you feel comfortable participating in activities outside of ones that are culturally or ethnically geared towards your background. During my interviews I got a lot of "How do you work in groups" type questions, especially from PBL schools, so having only asian-related activities leads pretty easily into that question (i.e. how do you work with a diverse group, etc.)

If you have some non-cultural related activities in addition to those you listed I'd say you're fine, otherwise I'd anticipate having at least a few people ask about why you never participated in any clubs that don't have a particular ethnic or cultural theme to them. Just have a good reason why you might have done that ("it just turned out that way" or something would be not good at all).

Other than that...... good luck applying man!

 

[Pkboi24]

I could see an adcom wondering if you feel comfortable participating in activities outside of ones that are culturally or ethnically geared towards your background. During my interviews I got a lot of "How do you work in groups" type questions, especially from PBL schools, so having only asian-related activities leads pretty easily into that question (i.e. how do you work with a diverse group, etc.)

If you have some non-cultural related activities in addition to those you listed I'd say you're fine, otherwise I'd anticipate having at least a few people ask about why you never participated in any clubs that don't have a particular ethnic or cultural theme to them. Just have a good reason why you might have done that ("it just turned out that way" or something would be not good at all).

Other than that...... good luck applying man!

What is a PBL school?

 

[Zoom-Zoom]

Don't worry mr. azn pre-med, I doubt your list of extra curriculars will detrement your 4.0 and 1000 hours of volunteer work.

 

[Hercules022]

What is a PBL school?

PBL = Problem based learning = small group work, as opposed to lectures. So at a school that emphasizes that, they're going to (probably) ask more in the interview about working in groups, working with others, etc.