ethnicity matters?

[zingerz86]

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I was looking through some statistic... well it seem white and asians apply the most in the dental field. I'm Asian and i noticed that there are high amount of applicants in each state and only few are accepted. Does it really matter what ethnicity you are?

 

[Rubber Dam Man]

I would like to think not - it comes down to how you look on paper (ie. DAT scores, GPA, etc) and how well your interview goes. I am well aware of the politics that goes on, but aside from that... I doubt that plays a role at most schools.

 

[smile101]

I don't think ETHNICITY matters. I think the only reason diversity matters at the political level is because the school gets money from th govt. Other than that, you can just try to convince ur interviewer that diversity is indeed important for far more reasons.

 

[klutzy1987]

Just like everywhere else in life, it is not what you know it is who you know.

 

[jaypea65]

I think that ethnicity does indeed matter. I believe that residency from certain states also is a factor. Schools want a student body that is more diverse and similar to what we find out in real society. Take a look at predents and determine for yourself.

 

[gogobruin]

I do not thnk that the color of skin matters. It depends on grades, gpa and volunteer experience and research.

 

[achilles2]

I do not thnk that the color of skin matters. It depends on grades, gpa and volunteer experience and research.

and social abilities...your dealing with humans if you you can't convey basic concepts to your clients or make them feel comfortable then you might be in the wrong field....

Your not a researcher working on cells your providing a service to people.

 

[acgeorge]

take a look on Predents....you will find some outliers out of those with interviews....ethnicity can definitely play a role

 

[funktion]

of course ethnicity matters. If you are an under represented minority such as african american or hispanic, you are not scrutinized under the same standards as if you were caucasian or asian. asians represent a much lower portion of the population in the US than hispanics and african americans yet asians represent disproportionately greater numbers in higher education. because of this, i believe being an asian is becoming a detriment these days when applying to schools. being asian, you are either held to higher standards or even possibly outright ignored because they dont want any more asians in order to make room for african americans and hispanics. I have no solid references to back up my points, but my opinions are a result of experience and research into admissions processes.

 

[acgeorge]

of course ethnicity matters. If you are an under represented minority such as african american or hispanic, you are not scrutinized under the same standards as if you were caucasian or asian. asians represent a much lower portion of the population in the US than hispanics and african americans yet asians represent disproportionately greater numbers in higher education. because of this, i believe being an asian is becoming a detriment these days when applying to schools. being asian, you are either held to higher standards or even possibly outright ignored because they dont want any more asians in order to make room for african americans and hispanics. I have no solid references to back up my points, but my opinions are a result of experience and research into admissions processes.

Definitely agree with you....I don't know if being asian is quite up there with the scrutiny white males get...but its close

 

[adizzle87]

of course ethnicity matters. If you are an under represented minority such as african american or hispanic, you are not scrutinized under the same standards as if you were caucasian or asian. asians represent a much lower portion of the population in the US than hispanics and african americans yet asians represent disproportionately greater numbers in higher education. because of this, i believe being an asian is becoming a detriment these days when applying to schools. being asian, you are either held to higher standards or even possibly outright ignored because they dont want any more asians in order to make room for african americans and hispanics. I have no solid references to back up my points, but my opinions are a result of experience and research into admissions processes.

I agree. When we make up ~2% of the population yet a typical class is 30%+ Asian, you start to feel like being Asian is not an asset to you when applying to d school. Again nothing substantial to back it up but just thinking out loud.

 

[klutzy1987]

I agree. When we make up ~2% of the population yet a typical class is 30%+ Asian, you start to feel like being Asian is not an asset to you when applying to d school. Again nothing substantial to back it up but just thinking out loud.

Well asians are known for being very studious and hard. Why should it be a asset, they are considered just like everyone else.

 

[Hawkeye7685]

If you look at the ADEA dental school book you actually see the percentages of ethnic students applying and accepted to each college. Based on these numbers it may appear that it is easier for say a hispanic to get accepted. However, the percentages are still very low, and there always may be the crazy concept that "a smart hispanic person exists". PERISH THE THOUGHT. People of ethnic background may get a second look by schools but not all of them are dumb. Give credit where credit is due. Because remember, when a person of ethnic background gets into dental school everybody looks at them as if they somehow got in just because they won the genetic jackpot. Reverse racism breeds racism and thats all I see when people seem to bash affirmative action. I kind of went on a tangent there so if I misstated something please let me know, but I spoke my peace. Good luck with everybodies applications and go teeth.

 

[smile101]

of course ethnicity matters. If you are an under represented minority such as african american or hispanic, you are not scrutinized under the same standards as if you were caucasian or asian. asians represent a much lower portion of the population in the US than hispanics and african americans yet asians represent disproportionately greater numbers in higher education. because of this, i believe being an asian is becoming a detriment these days when applying to schools. being asian, you are either held to higher standards or even possibly outright ignored because they dont want any more asians in order to make room for african americans and hispanics. I have no solid references to back up my points, but my opinions are a result of experience and research into admissions processes.

I'll have to disagree. I know that asians are over represented, but I don't think it plays for or against any asian because we still see a constant number of them. And I definietely don't think that schools will remove 10 asians to bring in under represented minorities, especially if those under represented minorities are not qualified to be there. I think ur qualifications can take much farther than ur ethnicity. I do think it is important to have a diverse student body; however, there can't be a mix of qualified and unqualified individuals because the school has to keep its reputation up as well.
It all also depends on what area we are talking about. More industrialized areas will have more diverse student body as opposed to schools in areas like south.

 

[SugarNaCl]

For better or for worse, I think too, that ethnicity does matter. I think it is MUCH more difficult for an Asian or even a white person to get into dental school (just more apply) than for a black or a hispanic. Schools want diversity because people of one race often want to come to a clinician of the same race just for reasons of some common ground.

That said, someone that is black or hispanic with sub par stats / experience would have a very difficult time I would imagine as well. Yes though, given the numbers, you and I are both in the more competitive list racially. Maybe for Asians it is even a little harder. VCU does accept a lot of Asians and a lot of Middle easterners though.

 

[doc3232]

I am betting that this will be a 3 page thread as long as it doesn't get closed first 😎