Ethnicity on AACOMAS?

[rockwell]

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Members do not see this ad.

Is it better to just leave the ethnicity out to avoid race being a factor in one's admission decision? Or does leaving it blank negatively affect you? Thank you.

 

[Dr.TurkandJD]

Just fill it out, why would you not? It can't hurt you.

 

[Anicetus]

.

 

[Dr.TurkandJD]

It can if you aren't a minority.

Oh yes, the ADCOM will look at your app and be like, "Oh this applicant is white, lets reject him". Common! It won't hurt you.

Anyone else care to chime in on this?

 

[rockwell]

Oh yes, the ADCOM will look at your app and be like, "Oh this applicant is white, lets reject him". Common! It won't hurt you.

Anyone else care to chime in on this?

You haven't answered my question yet, though. Can it negatively affect you if it were left out?

 

[Anicetus]

.

 

[SurgeDO]

You haven't answered my question yet, though. Can it negatively affect you if it were left out?

i cannot imagine it makes too much of a difference. if you leave it out, i can imagine admission offices assume you are white.

...if you are a URM, on the other hand, i would definitely indicate it.

 

[Anicetus]

i cannot imagine it makes too much of a difference. if you leave it out, i can imagine admission offices assume you are white.

...if you are a URM, on the other hand, i would definitely indicate it.

It could probably just then depend on your last name... If it is questionable with the origin of your last name, they may bring you in for an interview ANYWAY just to see what your race is 😎

 

[Didierdrogba]

Basically, it can help if you are URM, But if OP is not URM, I can't imaging putting down your race will hurt you in any way, you will just be looked at as any other run of the mill applicant. Plus they will see you during interview anyway, so it's not like you can hide your race forever.

 

[NontradCA]

 

[Goro]

If you're a URM, it will help you. If you're not a URM, it won't hurt you.



Is it better to just leave the ethnicity out to avoid race being a factor in one's admission decision? \

It won't hurt you.

Or does leaving it blank negatively affect you?

 

[TriagePreMed]

One thing I've always had trouble with is that they always have a separate category for Hispanic and then one for race. Even though technically correct, I don't think I'm racially white/black/etc. If anything, it would be native, but I can't put that because apparently only natives are from the US and have a tribe. Therefore, I always have to leave race blank.

 

[TXKnight]

One thing I've always had trouble with is that they always have a separate category for Hispanic and then one for race. Even though technically correct, I don't think I'm racially white/black/etc. If anything, it would be native, but I can't put that because apparently only natives are from the US and have a tribe. Therefore, I always have to leave race blank.

So in this case what do you usually do?

for instance:
Ethnicity:Hiapanic
Race: (blank) or :"White/black/whatever"

I don't get these ctaegories

 

[coolingglasses]

I would just fill it out honestly. I couldn't leave mine out either way because I talk about it in my PS/secondaries.

 

[darklabel]

One thing I've always had trouble with is that they always have a separate category for Hispanic and then one for race. Even though technically correct, I don't think I'm racially white/black/etc. If anything, it would be native, but I can't put that because apparently only natives are from the US and have a tribe. Therefore, I always have to leave race blank.

I put black and white since I have both European and Afro-Caribbean heritage, but like you I don't really associate (or look like) either.

 

[Mosonik]

I put black and white since I have both European and Afro-Caribbean heritage, but like you I don't really associate (or look like) either.

You don't look white or black?

 

[Didierdrogba]

I put black and white since I have both European and Afro-Caribbean heritage, but like you I don't really associate (or look like) either.

so what do you look like?

 

[darklabel]

Races can't mix these days? 😳

Though given the context, I came off as if I am some sort of alien

 

[coolingglasses]

I remember debating for a while about whether to mark "South Asian" or "East Asian".

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

Races can't mix these days? 😳

Though given the context, I came off as if I am some sort of alien

hahah I feel your pain. mother is Puerto Rican and Trinidadian. father is euro. I look like a tan ass white kid. is what it is haha 👍

 

[theeleventhhour]

If you aren't a URM, is it OK to just leave it blank then?

 

[NontradCA]

It says plainly on the application that it's optional...

 

[user3]

Is it better to just leave the ethnicity out to avoid race being a factor in one's admission decision? Or does leaving it blank negatively affect you? Thank you.

just check the least represented race/ethnicity, and wait for those admission offers to pour in 😀

but seriously, it is your legal right to identify with any race/ethnicity you choose. adcoms will use that information as they please. simply checking a box off won't make a difference, just ask LizzyM and njbmd.

 

[Ogmora]

I don't think it matters at all

http://www.aacom.org/data/applicantsmatriculants/Documents/2012-Applicant-Matriculant-Report.pdf

Page 4

 

[Amberofthemomen]

I imagine that if you're Asian, or any other "over-represented" minority, it might hurt.

 

[Ogmora]

I imagine that if you're Asian, or any other "over-represented" minority, it might hurt.

percentage wise (according to the AACOM data) white and asian have more matriculants per applicant than do URM's. I don't know what other variables are in play, but strictly by the numbers, it looks like it may hurt to put URM (which definitely contradicts traditional belief)

 

[NontradCA]

percentage wise (according to the AACOM data) white and asian have more matriculants per applicant than do URM's. I don't know what other variables are in play, but strictly by the numbers, it looks like it may hurt to put URM (which definitely contradicts traditional belief)

*disclaimer*. Not trying to spark URM debate.

That's a horrible interpretation of the statistics. The reason there is a greater number of matriculates is because there are more URMs applying with non competitive stats within their race competitiveness.

 

[Ogmora]

The reason there is a greater number of matriculates is because there are more URMs applying with non competitive stats within their race competitiveness.

NontradCA you are absolutely correct

 

[NontradCA]

NontradCA you are absolutely correct

Being a URM with higher stats is a plus.