Do you think it is wrong to put myself down as a minority?

[Shredder]

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I have strawberry blonde hair with blues and I am fair skinned. However, I am an EOP (educational outreach program) student because I am 3/32 native american ( I have the card) so I do qualify for all the advantages as an undergrad. What do you think the interviewer will think if I put native american/caucasian on my application? 👍 or 👎

exploit the hell out of it and cook up some captivating theme. why squander opportunity when it comes knocking. i think the interviewer will think you will fulfill the schools diversity goal nicely, and thats all he will think. really, im being frank

 

[crazy_cavalier]

i cant wait until the day when we are all one mixed-up race, then no more urm status for anyone and we are all on a level playing field. *sigh* yay!

for some reason, your avatar makes me happy 🙂

 

[medhacker]

 

[sunnyjohn]

Uhm - I hate to point this out but uhh.. Egypt is in the North Eastern corner of Africa. He isn't getting away with something - he is from Africa. Good thing geography isn't on the MCAT eh?

Yep....

Once again Egypt is in Africa.

There are many Egyptians who have Sub-Saharan features.

 

[1Path]

Interesting that you guys get VERY upset when people who are/live as URM's use affirmative action, but it's OK to "use AA" if you live as white or pass for white. Very interesting indeed!!

 

[Karim]

I'm full-blooded Egyptian, culturally and biologically. I've been discriminated against ever since my childhood: hey, I'm a towel-head, I have to take my shoes off every time I'm at the airport, and the first thing on my agenda is to blow something, someone, or myself up, right? I've definitely been discriminated against: a lot of people don't like brown people for some reason. I laughed when I read about the Egyptian guy who claimed to be "African American". If it can be done, I'll do it. If I can fall under "African American"...I'll take advantage of it. Why not? The system is absurd anyway. There are so many problems with it--people are taking advantage of it all the time--and it's perhaps one of the most controversial issues in the nation. If the benefit is designed specifically for black Americans, it should say that (I know that it lists many other ethnicities and races but I'm specifically focusing on AA for African Americans). Truth be told, I'm more African; in fact, I'm 100% African, than most "African American" people I know. That having been said, I honestly think it should be abolished. Although it does have it's uses, it's perpetuating discrimination instead of correcting it--it's a constant reminder of racial differences. And as long as it's here, people will use and abuse it. So I conclude that if I do have the opportunity to use it, it would be ridiculous to pass it up. It's like handing a soldier a gun and having him refuse to use it. Sorry about the war analogy--I'm a terrorist, remember? 😀

 

[jackets5]

I never get upset with the people who use AA to their advantage its not their fault that its a stupid policy thats in place. I see no problem using every advantage you can to get yourself ahead and better your situation. There is no reason to attack people who use AA to their advantage. Everyone here would use a similar policy if it benefited them.

Interesting that you guys get VERY upset when people who are/live as URM's use affirmative action, but it's OK to "use AA" if you live as white or pass for white. Very interesting indeed!!

 

[slmsmith]

I am writing from the opposite end of the spectrum. I am your stereotypical looking white boy, but I was adopted by a Japanese family (and therefore have a Japanese last name). I am sure there are admissions committee's right now saying WTF. Of course, asians don't really fit the "disadvantaged status" category, so it matters a little less on my part. However, I mark japanese.Cause you know what, I was raised with a lot more japanese culture than a lot of guys I have met that are full-blooded Japanese. It is more about the culture and expereince, not the blood. My two cents.

what if you were black and adopted by 2 white parents?

 

[medhacker]

what if you were black and adopted by 2 white parents?

If you don't have the sincere intention in your heart to work with underserved communities (Black, Latino, NA, etc) then you should not claim it. Not even if you are Black, Latino, NA etc.

Career goals do change, however, the current purpose of AA is to direct medical force towards underserved communities which have been victims of racism, segregation/discrimination and underprivilege.

 

[slmsmith]

If you don't have the sincere intention in your heart to work with underserved communities (Black, Latino, NA, etc) then you should not claim it. Not even if you are Black, Latino, NA etc.

Career goals do change, however, the current purpose of AA is to direct medical force towards underserved communities which have been victims of racism, segregation/discrimination and underprivilege.

So if you're Latino, and you want to go into private practice in Beverly Hills, you shouldn't claim that you're Latino? (as per AA)

 

[medhacker]

So if you're Latino, and you want to go into private practice in Beverly Hills, you shouldn't claim that you're Latino? (as per AA)

That's right

 

[gdbaby]

That's right

This doesn't make much sense to me. I am 50% NA and I feel that AA was established so that I don't HAVE to go back to a reservation, if I don't want to. Part of the goal of AA was to integrate minority groups into professions where they had once been omitted. Another goal, however, is to expose non-minorities to minorities in an attempt to end the stereotype that minorities are not as intellegent as white people. Wouldn't that task be more easily accomplished if I were allowed to practice in Beverly Hills vs. North Dakota?

We should ALL consider working in medically underserved areas and to be the best doctors we can be. White, black, red, pink, or magenta--a good doctor is the best role model for any child thinking about a career in medicine.

 

[speedup]

I'm full-blooded Egyptian, culturally and biologically. I've been discriminated against ever since my childhood: hey, I'm a towel-head, I have to take my shoes off every time I'm at the airport, and the first thing on my agenda is to blow something, someone, or myself up, right? I've definitely been discriminated against: a lot of people don't like brown people for some reason. I laughed when I read about the Egyptian guy who claimed to be "African American". If it can be done, I'll do it. If I can fall under "African American"...I'll take advantage of it. Why not? The system is absurd anyway. There are so many problems with it--people are taking advantage of it all the time--and it's perhaps one of the most controversial issues in the nation. If the benefit is designed specifically for black Americans, it should say that (I know that it lists many other ethnicities and races but I'm specifically focusing on AA for African Americans). Truth be told, I'm more African; in fact, I'm 100% African, than most "African American" people I know. That having been said, I honestly think it should be abolished. Although it does have it's uses, it's perpetuating discrimination instead of correcting it--it's a constant reminder of racial differences. And as long as it's here, people will use and abuse it. So I conclude that if I do have the opportunity to use it, it would be ridiculous to pass it up. It's like handing a soldier a gun and having him refuse to use it. Sorry about the war analogy--I'm a terrorist, remember? 😀

Are you ever discriminated against in the academic setting???

Answer: NO!

Thus part of your post is garbage

 

[Doctor Bagel]

This doesn't make much sense to me. I am 50% NA and I feel that AA was established so that I don't HAVE to go back to a reservation, if I don't want to. Part of the goal of AA was to integrate minority groups into professions where they had once been omitted. Another goal, however, is to expose non-minorities to minorities in an attempt to end the stereotype that minorities are not as intellegent as white people. Wouldn't that task be more easily accomplished if I were allowed to practice in Beverly Hills vs. North Dakota?

We should ALL consider working in medically underserved areas and to be the best doctors we can be. White, black, red, pink, or magenta--a good doctor is the best role model for any child thinking about a career in medicine.

good point. i always thought aa was there so people who were economically and socially marginalized would have a chance to advance themselves, which is why someone who isn't disadvantaged because of their racial status should not qualify for aa. aa is troubling when people who have never faced any hardship related to their race (like the op and people like me with similar amounts of na ancestry) get special props in admissions. how often that happens, i don't know. i doubt it happens enough to entirely throw out aa.

 

[medhacker]

This doesn't make much sense to me. I am 50% NA and I feel that AA was established so that I don't HAVE to go back to a reservation, if I don't want to. Part of the goal of AA was to integrate minority groups into professions where they had once been omitted. Another goal, however, is to expose non-minorities to minorities in an attempt to end the stereotype that minorities are not as intellegent as white people. Wouldn't that task be more easily accomplished if I were allowed to practice in Beverly Hills vs. North Dakota?

We should ALL consider working in medically underserved areas and to be the best doctors we can be. White, black, red, pink, or magenta--a good doctor is the best role model for any child thinking about a career in medicine.

Negative gdbaby. The purpose of AA is not to advance the lives of a few minority individuals but to advance the lives of AS MANY minority communities as possible. Does it really make sense to advance the lives of the 2000+/- URMs admitted every year as opposed to much larger number of people who live in such communities? you can see the answer the supreme court gave at the opinion of justice O'connor in the court's latest take on AA.

 

[dr. neek]

Hi, so i have a question - i would love a response. i am white. My father was born in egypt and his parents were born there too. My mother is syrian. Besides that, i identify a lot with my middle eastern background. Another factor that should be realized is that i am jewish. and, so my anscestors had to leave egypt because of disadvantage and prosecution. Do I write african american on my application? (Note: not only am I egyptian, but i, or rather, my parents felt very disadvantaged- and i feel it through them) I would love a few answers. Thanks!
🙂

 

[gdbaby]

I still don't see how, because I am a URM, I have an obligation to return to "my people" while non-URM's are free to pursue careers anywhere they please to their financial and personal fulfillment. This is probably at the crux of difficulties surrounding AA. Wouldn't the lives of as many minorities as possible be better served by better medical care, education, and access to resources regardless of the person providing them?

On a side note: I did not intend to be negative toward you Medhacker. I do not like what this admissions process has done to me. "what do you mean the world doesn't revolve around me? I'm applying to medical school!" Let's all have a virtual single malt scotch when this is all over!

 

[speedup]

Hi, so i have a question - i would love a response. i am white. My father was born in egypt and his parents were born there too. My mother is syrian. Besides that, i identify a lot with my middle eastern background. Another factor that should be realized is that i am jewish. and, so my anscestors had to leave egypt because of disadvantage and prosecution. Do I write african american on my application? (Note: not only am I egyptian, but i, or rather, my parents felt very disadvantaged- and i feel it through them) I would love a few answers. Thanks!
🙂

You are NOT a URM!!!! if you put URM on your app it will hurt you more than it helps you

 

[45408]

I know of a guy who is Egyptian but listed himself as "African American" on his AMCAS. I know he grew up in an Egyptian/Muslim household, and since he's Arab, isn't he technically Caucasian? I feel that it's unfair to my Afircan American friends applying who are actually really African American...

He did well on his MCAT (like 36+) and is getting interviews at every single school he applied to, and I can't help but think that it has partly to do with his "African American" status. WIll this guy get caught or will he get away with it? I feel indignant for some reason..
let me know what you guys think.

What's to get caught about? He lived in Africa, for God's sake. If it asked if he was "black," that's one thing, but he's awfully African-American if he came from Africa, IMO.

Side note - some white South African immigrant was denied African-American scholarships though. Huge legal battle there.

 

[medhacker]

I still don't see how, because I am a URM, I have an obligation to return to "my people" while non-URM's are free to pursue careers anywhere they please to their financial and personal fulfillment. This is probably at the crux of difficulties surrounding AA. Wouldn't the lives of as many minorities as possible be better served by better medical care, education, and access to resources regardless of the person providing them?

On a side note: I did not intend to be negative toward you Medhacker. I do not like what this admissions process has done to me. "what do you mean the world doesn't revolve around me? I'm applying to medical school!" Let's all have a virtual single malt scotch when this is all over!

Sure gdbaby is not personal at all. If you want to be free like non-URMs then apply like non-URMs and don't claim URM status. It's like this full tuition scholarship they give you as a MS1 in exchange for so many years of service in underserved areas. Same principle, if you want an advantage be willing to put something back.

😉

 

[Karim]

Are you ever discriminated against in the academic setting???

Answer: NO!

Thus part of your post is garbage

The idea of "rectifying past injustices" is so ridiculous that it makes me cringe. I don't see ANYONE prohibiting black, Alskan, Native Americans or otherwise from going to school anymore. Was I ever discriminated against in an academic setting? No. But guess what: neither is anyone else. AA is outdated. In my post I was saying that yes, I've been discriminated against to the point that I thought white people are better than me, so don't sue me when I say that I wouldn't have a problem using the "AA advantage" if I had a chance. Give me a break.

 

[Karim]

Hi, so i have a question - i would love a response. i am white. My father was born in egypt and his parents were born there too. My mother is syrian. Besides that, i identify a lot with my middle eastern background. Another factor that should be realized is that i am jewish. and, so my anscestors had to leave egypt because of disadvantage and prosecution. Do I write african american on my application? (Note: not only am I egyptian, but i, or rather, my parents felt very disadvantaged- and i feel it through them) I would love a few answers. Thanks!
🙂

You're not funny.

 

[gdbaby]

The idea of "rectifying past injustices" is so ridiculous that it makes me cringe. I don't see ANYONE prohibiting black, Alskan, Native Americans or otherwise from going to school anymore. Was I ever discriminated against in an academic setting? No. But guess what: neither is anyone else. AA is outdated. In my post I was saying that yes, I've been discriminated against to the point that I thought white people are better than me, so don't sue me when I say that I wouldn't have a problem using the "AA advantage" if I had a chance. Give me a break.

I was discriminated against in school for being left-handed. True story: I was placed in classes with kids with learning disabilities and was forced to write right-handed. Remember: I am old and was in elementary school while most of your weren't even flickers in your parents' eyes.

I don't think being left-handed had anything to do with my grandfather living on a reservation though.

 

[Scintillation]

I have strawberry blonde hair with blues and I am fair skinned. However, I am an EOP (educational outreach program) student because I am 3/32 native american ( I have the card) so I do qualify for all the advantages as an undergrad. What do you think the interviewer will think if I put native american/caucasian on my application? 👍 or 👎

where can I buy this "card"?

 

[ny skindoc]

Yep....

Once again Egypt is in Africa.

There are many Egyptians who have Sub-Saharan features.

If Egyptians can be classified as African-American then a white South African now living in the US may rightly claim this title as well.Not to mention many other ethnic groups.
In the US the term "african-american" is meant to denote a specific group of people thought to be disadvantaged uniquely in American history-affirmative action rightly or wrongly was designed to address this particular situation.In the end the med school admissions committe likely has ideas as to who will fill slots set aside for "disadvantaged" individuals.
No doubt there are many applicants who can justifably argue disadvantaged status,but trying to pass yourself off as something you are clearly not,is not going to impress the admissions people with your honesty-especially not the "real " African -Americans present on every adcom....

 

[PurpleHaze]

Did u know that AA actually aids Caucasian females more than any other minorty group?

 

[Hoooba]

Maybe I should settle this debate once and for all about Egyptians. According to the US government, Egyptians are considered North Africans and thus Caucasian. If you are an Egyptian and try to claim African American status you're pretty pathetic. I know we're all pre-meds, but have a little self respect for yourself. If you feel you need to claim yourself as an African American to get into med school then maybe this track isn't for you. Nothing comes easy in the real world - sorry that's a fact (unless you're Paris Hilton)

and in regards to this post

Contrary to erroneous belief most Egyptians are not Arabs. They are part of the Arab nations but not Arab in origin.

I don't know where you got your info. 95% of Egyptians are ARABS. If you want to get technical -according to the Arab League definition of an Arab - "An Arab is a person whose language is Arabic, who lives in an Arabic speaking country, who is in sympathy with the aspirations of the Arabic speaking peoples."

But then again what do I know.....I am only an Egyptian arab. Maybe you know more 😉

salamat

 

[Hoooba]

sorry..double post

 

[catalystman]

Did u know that AA actually aids Caucasian females more than any other minorty group?

this is true especially in corporate America but, does not manifest in medicine as much as it did in the 1960's-1980's