Hispanic Pre-meds!!

[PeruvianDoctor]

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I did actually, just sent in the application in last weekend

 

[Jeffy]

Anyone apply to that UC Irvine PRIME-LC program?

I sent my secondary in to them about a month and a half ago so I'm hoping for that interview to come. For now though, I have an interview at USC in a few weeks that I'm pretty excited about. Of course I'd love to go to a UC over USC, but I figure if I'm lucky enough to stay in Cali, that's about 50 times better than what I could have ever hoped for.

 

[MsEvolution]

Ok, here's my update...

DMU -- Received admission email Friday. Yay!
COMP -- Received letter stating I'm on hold... will let me know on January 30, 2005
UW -- Interviewed there on Friday. Totally feeling like I got raked over the coals... I have no idea if they loved me or hated me. **stress!!**
Medical College of Wisconsin -- Have an interview for January 7th.

DMU was excellent news... I LOVE the school and would have a hard time choosing between them and UW (if I get accepted to UW).

Ok, going back now to listen to my Camilo Sesto CD and washing the dishes...

 

[cammy1313]

Lets not let this forum die....

Whatre updates on ppls interviews and such?

Anyone apply to that UC Irvine PRIME-LC program?

I actually got schedule for an interivew at UCI and then the coordinator of the PRIME-LC program called me up to ask me to apply. Needless to say I was shocked to recieve any sort of good news from them, let alone have them ask me to apply to one of their programs! I said yes because it sounded great but now I'm wondering what the benefit to having that Master's degree would be? Could you not do the same things having only an M.D.? If anyone has any feedback on this I'd REALLY appreciate it, I'm trying to fill out the app now...

 

[Jeffy]

I actually got schedule for an interivew at UCI and then the coordinator of the PRIME-LC program called me up to ask me to apply. Needless to say I was shocked to recieve any sort of good news from them, let alone have them ask me to apply to one of their programs! I said yes because it sounded great but now I'm wondering what the benefit to having that Master's degree would be? Could you not do the same things having only an M.D.? If anyone has any feedback on this I'd REALLY appreciate it, I'm trying to fill out the app now...

That's actually something that I was kinda wondering as well. So basically it'll help you secure positions working within the Latino community. Is this that hard to do? Do you really need a Master's to be able to do this? And isn't it an M.S., of all things?

 

[cammy1313]

I actually got schedule for an interivew at UCI and then the coordinator of the PRIME-LC program called me up to ask me to apply. Needless to say I was shocked to recieve any sort of good news from them, let alone have them ask me to apply to one of their programs! I said yes because it sounded great but now I'm wondering what the benefit to having that Master's degree would be? Could you not do the same things having only an M.D.? If anyone has any feedback on this I'd REALLY appreciate it, I'm trying to fill out the app now...

Anyone???

 

[PeruvianDoctor]

Just applied, that would be great if I got to meet some of you, my friend just got an interview and said that they wanted to take all the PRIMELC applicants out to lunch, which I though was kinda cool. Anyways, as for the master's questions, I would say no, it probably isn't that beneficial, they just want to give you some incentive, the only reason i applied is the fact that it would be hypocritical to say I want to work with Latinos and NOT apply to the program. Anyways, the rumor is that only 20 people applied last year and 8 got in... Good luck to you all.

El Peruano

 

[cammy1313]

Just applied, that would be great if I got to meet some of you, my friend just got an interview and said that they wanted to take all the PRIMELC applicants out to lunch, which I though was kinda cool. Anyways, as for the master's questions, I would say no, it probably isn't that beneficial, they just want to give you some incentive, the only reason i applied is the fact that it would be hypocritical to say I want to work with Latinos and NOT apply to the program. Anyways, the rumor is that only 20 people applied last year and 8 got in... Good luck to you all.

El Peruano

Thanks, P.D. 🙂

 

[SexyLexie729]

Ok, here's my update...

DMU -- Received admission email Friday. Yay!
COMP -- Received letter stating I'm on hold... will let me know on January 30, 2005
UW -- Interviewed there on Friday. Totally feeling like I got raked over the coals... I have no idea if they loved me or hated me. **stress!!**
Medical College of Wisconsin -- Have an interview for January 7th.

DMU was excellent news... I LOVE the school and would have a hard time choosing between them and UW (if I get accepted to UW).

Ok, going back now to listen to my Camilo Sesto CD and washing the dishes...

Don't stress, UW has one of the most brutal interviews. They raked my friend over the coals and she thought that her interview didn't go that well. A year later she is an MS1 at UW. So, don't worry they do this to everyone. If you left the interview in one piece and didn't have a nervous breakdown, then you did well. Good Luck!!! 🙂

 

[Elastase]

About prime-lc at uci:

I met the director this past Saturday...nice guy and also met a 1st year that had done the Mexico trip thing over the summer and she loved it.

I think its a good idea, definitely the M.S. wont help you for **** BUT the information that you will gain from the extra classes (policy / public health kind of stuff geared toward the latino community) would definitely help you towards your goal of doing more than just treating latino patients and instead helping the whole latino community...Also you would be doing more things geared towards the Latino community...

I also asked him what if I changed my mind and wanted to specialize instead of doing primary care, and he said that it doesn't really matter. Its made to get more general practicioners BUT either way it not necessarily a bad thing to have someone that has been through this program to specialize (ex/ opthamologist that helps the latino/underserved community)

But then I dunno...I guess I would rather have a MPH....

I plan to apply for this come June.

 

[Jeffy]

About prime-lc at uci:

I met the director this past Saturday...nice guy and also met a 1st year that had done the Mexico trip thing over the summer and she loved it.

I think its a good idea, definitely the M.S. wont help you for **** BUT the information that you will gain from the extra classes (policy / public health kind of stuff geared toward the latino community) would definitely help you towards your goal of doing more than just treating latino patients and instead helping the whole latino community...Also you would be doing more things geared towards the Latino community...

I also asked him what if I changed my mind and wanted to specialize instead of doing primary care, and he said that it doesn't really matter. Its made to get more general practicioners BUT either way it not necessarily a bad thing to have someone that has been through this program to specialize (ex/ opthamologist that helps the latino/underserved community)

But then I dunno...I guess I would rather have a MPH....

I plan to apply for this come June.

Not to get hung-up on details or anything here, but it just seems kinda silly that they award you an M.S. after finishing the program. Are they just trying to give an M.P.H. in Community Health withouth having a Public Health School?

 

[cammy1313]

Not to get hung-up on details or anything here, but it just seems kinda silly that they award you an M.S. after finishing the program. Are they just trying to give an M.P.H. in Community Health withouth having a Public Health School?

Yeah, it seems a little fishy. I just finished getting my Masters degree, thesis and all, and I would LOVE to take this coursework without having to embark on another thesis crusade. I'll be interviewing next month so I will try to find out about how rigorous the extra courses are, and if it is reasonable to take the courses out of interest without pursuing the MS degree.

 

[Dr. Don]

Just applied, that would be great if I got to meet some of you, my friend just got an interview and said that they wanted to take all the PRIMELC applicants out to lunch, which I though was kinda cool. Anyways, as for the master's questions, I would say no, it probably isn't that beneficial, they just want to give you some incentive, the only reason i applied is the fact that it would be hypocritical to say I want to work with Latinos and NOT apply to the program. Anyways, the rumor is that only 20 people applied last year and 8 got in... Good luck to you all.

El Peruano

how are you doing peruano? saludos departe de otro peruano aca en los angeles. I'm currently a first year student at Western/COMP and I just wanted to say hello to all the fellow hispanic premeds out there. UCI Prime-LC is an awesome program, but competitive to get into. Also as non-URM applicants, it can get difficult for non-mexicans, cubans, african americans, etc, to get in based on politics more than anything else. However if you are good, you are good no matter what and remember at the end of the day it doesn't really matter where you go to school (unless you want to get into research), what matters is residency....best of luck to you and if anyone wants more info about the med school application process and/or COMP PM me.

Also, any other peruvians out there? We got a nice little peruvian/south american clan here at COMP and we are just loving it! 😀 take care you all!

 

[Elastase]

Yeah there are tons of peruvians on this forum...

Btw, the admissions person from UCI told me that peruvians are considered underrepresented...she said "now they are" as in I guess that new definition as vague as it is, does indeed contain us lowly incas....

 

[Dr. Don]

Yeah there are tons of peruvians on this forum...

Btw, the admissions person from UCI told me that peruvians are considered underrepresented...she said "now they are" as in I guess that new definition as vague as it is, does indeed contain us lowly incas....

hey mike, if that is true, then THAT IS GREAT NEWS! Trust me being considered URM HELPs your application alot, because afterall med schools are looking into increasing their diversity via URMs, socioeconomic status, etc. I wish you guys the best. Back when I was applying, eventhough I was considered disadvantaged, some schools would not look at my application through the minority community because I wasn't URM. I even had a school straight out tell me "If you were URM, you would be in, but because you're not, your application is just not competitive enough when compared with all the 3.5, 30 MCATs averages 😱 and I wasn't that bad either MCAT 26-27 (took it more than once V7, B10, P10 Q highest scores) GPA 3.3 (Post Bac 3.8)...but oh well, that is the past, just realize that the med school application process is SO UNPREDICTABLE and at times very FRUSTRATING! I'm also really happy to see peruvians, and latinos in general going through this application process and hopefully GET IN! I applied to both MD and DO schools, interviewed all over the country (both MD and DO) and ultimately when it came down to deciding which school was the best option for me, I decided to stay close to home at Western/COMP and I couldn't be happier! Our class is tight! Our minority population is about 7-8 strong, and we're loving it! We LMSA (Latino Medical Student Association) are aiming to increase the number of minorities in our school because eventhough 7-8 is good (compared to like 3 from 3 years ago), we would like to see more brown faces around, specially quality applicants like yourselves! We might not be 10-20 minorities like some schools but afterall it's all about quality not quantity 😉 . Alright, gotta go study for immunology, late

 

[Aucdoctobe]

Hey guys,

Just in case anyone didn't know, here is the link to the Latino Medical Student Association:

http://www.bol.ucla.edu/~efratal/index.htm

The officers are extremely nice and helpful.

 

[docwannabe2]

Hi all... I wanted to get your opinion on something. One of my friends is applying to school next year, and we were talking about applications and stuff the other night. I was saying how I was sure she'd have a lot of luck since our applications are basically exactly the same, and I've had pretty good luck this application cycle. She responded with: "Well, no offense, but I'm not hispanic." I got so angry. I'm of cuban heritage, and I don't think that's even considered an URM, but I just got so upset to think that others will look at my acceptances as a result of my father's birthplace as opposed to my hard work. What do you all think? Have you had to deal with this type of situation before? I assume it's all a product of the affirmative action mentality, but I'm just so mad...

 

[cammy1313]

Hi all... I wanted to get your opinion on something. One of my friends is applying to school next year, and we were talking about applications and stuff the other night. I was saying how I was sure she'd have a lot of luck since our applications are basically exactly the same, and I've had pretty good luck this application cycle. She responded with: "Well, no offense, but I'm not hispanic." I got so angry. I'm of cuban heritage, and I don't think that's even considered an URM, but I just got so upset to think that others will look at my acceptances as a result of my father's birthplace as opposed to my hard work. What do you all think? Have you had to deal with this type of situation before? I assume it's all a product of the affirmative action mentality, but I'm just so mad...

Well, I think the bottom line is, who cares what everyone else thinks. You've done nothing wrong and if where your father was born had any influence on your application, would your really take that away? It is so unbelievable difficult to get into medical school, in large part because a significant amount of students are admitted because of one string or another they have pulled. There is no shame in using every asset afforded you to help you get in because if anyone else had a cuban heritage to take advantage of I guarantee that they would. Moral of the story, every person who's life you better won't think twice about where you came from so why should you?

 

[Elastase]

Hi all... I wanted to get your opinion on something. One of my friends is applying to school next year, and we were talking about applications and stuff the other night. I was saying how I was sure she'd have a lot of luck since our applications are basically exactly the same, and I've had pretty good luck this application cycle. She responded with: "Well, no offense, but I'm not hispanic." I got so angry. I'm of cuban heritage, and I don't think that's even considered an URM, but I just got so upset to think that others will look at my acceptances as a result of my father's birthplace as opposed to my hard work. What do you all think? Have you had to deal with this type of situation before? I assume it's all a product of the affirmative action mentality, but I'm just so mad...

First of all your stats are awesome according to your profile...33 mcat and 3.9+ gpa. Those are probably the most solid scores you can get...don't know what you're complaining about. Anybody, no matter what the "race" will get into most schools that they apply to.

Secondly, you ARE a URM...Cubans have URM status.

So not only are you super competative but you are also wanted by med school. You will definitely get into 80%+ of the med schools you applied to.

Just tell the people that think you had it easy (as in getting into med school) and just spit out your stats, and that will be impressive enough.

Good luck.

 

[docwannabe2]

First of all your stats are awesome according to your profile...33 mcat and 3.9+ gpa. Those are probably the most solid scores you can get...don't know what you're complaining about.

I wasn't actually complaining about my stats... I know I've been successful, and in fact I said that I was happy with how this application season has gone. I was, however, complaining about how my stats are apparently being overshadowed by my ethinicity...

Secondly, you ARE a URM...Cubans have URM status.

Thanks for that info... I wasn't aware that cuban was considered underrepresented in medicine.

Just tell the people that think you had it easy (as in getting into med school) and just spit out your stats, and that will be impressive enough.

Good advice... I shall take this mindset from now on... 😉

 

[Will Ferrell]

Hi all... I wanted to get your opinion on something. One of my friends is applying to school next year, and we were talking about applications and stuff the other night. I was saying how I was sure she'd have a lot of luck since our applications are basically exactly the same, and I've had pretty good luck this application cycle. She responded with: "Well, no offense, but I'm not hispanic." I got so angry. I'm of cuban heritage, and I don't think that's even considered an URM, but I just got so upset to think that others will look at my acceptances as a result of my father's birthplace as opposed to my hard work. What do you all think? Have you had to deal with this type of situation before? I assume it's all a product of the affirmative action mentality, but I'm just so mad...

From one hardworking Cuban to another, b*tch-slap your friend for me and smack some sense into her. You worked your ass off to have the grades/MCATs you have and she's trying to take the merit out of your success. Your ethnicity had nothing to do with your acceptances. Maybe being bilingual did. The only reason she would have any more trouble than you in the application cycle is because she's obviously ignorant and probably has said other stupid stuff during her interviews.

 

[Croatalus_atrox]

Secondly, you ARE a URM...Cubans have URM status.

No, they don't necessarily have URM status. About the only minority groups that you can really be sure are considered URM are African-Americans, Mexican-American and Puerto Rican Latinos, and Native Americans. Just because someone has a hispanic surname doesn't make them URM. Hispanics of Cuban descent don't make up that large of a percentage of the US population, so it doesn't take that many physicians to represent them in medicine. It does help to be of hispanic descent since many of us are bilingual and have at least some minimal cultural commonality.

Medical schools can decide for themselves what groups they consider URM, but it obviously varies based on the school and that information usually isn't publicly available. You can usually bet on the fact that schools will consider the four minority groups I mentioned to be URM, because those four have traditionally actually been underrepresented in medicine. Any others are just guesses, unless you have actually spoken to the admissions committees of medical schools and the AAMC.

 

[jules0328]

Yeah there are tons of peruvians on this forum...

Btw, the admissions person from UCI told me that peruvians are considered underrepresented...she said "now they are" as in I guess that new definition as vague as it is, does indeed contain us lowly incas....

Wait, Mike G...are you serious about this URM status thing, or are you just trolling us along for the ride?

So wait, would this URM status for Peruanos be considered per school or is it like for all schools. In other words, would you put URM on your app?

 

[Dr. Don]

i believe the new definition of URM does include south americans, central, mexicans, as URMs' check it out on AAMC. alright people late

 

[Croatalus_atrox]

i believe the new definition of URM does include south americans, central, mexicans, as URMs' check it out on AAMC. alright people late

I looked on the AAMC website, and I can't find anything about the new definition of URM that mentions specific minority groups. The definition of URM that the AAMC has posted only restates the obvious that URM is "underrepresented in medicine"; that is, groups whose representation as physicians is less than their proportion of the US population would warrant.

Now it is possible that most med schools might consider all hispanics to be equal, instead of splitting them up geographically like they used to, and giving preference to specific subcategories. But I can't find documentation of this change anywhere on the AAMC website. So, give us a link here.

 

[acl3623]

i believe the new definition of URM does include south americans, central, mexicans, as URMs' check it out on AAMC. alright people late

hold on...i just found this "new definition" on the website. its in a pdf file...its weird though it doesnt really say what a URM is really...

http://www.aamc.org/meded/urm/start.htm

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Executive Committee adopted a clarification (PDF, 2 pages - 44 KB) to its definition of "underrepresented in medicine" on March 19, 2004, titled "The status of the new AAMC definition of 'underrepresented in medicine' following the Supreme Court's decision in Grutter."

The Association of American Medical Colleges (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.


So who knows!>? im confused...i know that when i talked to the aamc this summer when i submitted my amcas they told me i was not a URM (im guatemalan)...but ive talked to admissions people that say it is at their discretion as to what actual nationalities bring people into the realm of URM applicants...

 

[Elastase]

Wait, Mike G...are you serious about this URM status thing, or are you just trolling us along for the ride?

So wait, would this URM status for Peruanos be considered per school or is it like for all schools. In other words, would you put URM on your app?

I wasn't joking or "trolling"...according to a UC Irvine admissions person (don't remember her exact position), she said that Peruvians are considered URM...I pretty much told her that we are not considered URM, and she said "now they are", as in Peruvians and prob other latinos are considered URM according to those new (and damn vague, on purpose) definition of URM. I think they did this new definition to get by affirmative action legislation, and to get more ethnicities called URM to increase diverisity.

Also, I am pretty sure Cubans are definitely are one of those "official" URMs.

Either way, your race shouldn't matter....

Study hard, and whoop on your classes and MCack.

Mike

 

[Dr. Don]

hold on...i just found this "new definition" on the website. its in a pdf file...its weird though it doesnt really say what a URM is really...

http://www.aamc.org/meded/urm/start.htm

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Executive Committee adopted a clarification (PDF, 2 pages - 44 KB) to its definition of "underrepresented in medicine" on March 19, 2004, titled "The status of the new AAMC definition of 'underrepresented in medicine' following the Supreme Court's decision in Grutter."

The Association of American Medical Colleges (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.


So who knows!>? im confused...i know that when i talked to the aamc this summer when i submitted my amcas they told me i was not a URM (im guatemalan)...but ive talked to admissions people that say it is at their discretion as to what actual nationalities bring people into the realm of URM applicants...

That's it guys! the definition is so general that an asian american applying to a school in the middle of nowhere where the class population is 99% white, CAN be considered Underrepresent minority because there are just not that many asians in that area. So hope that clears some things up and all you non mexican latinos, APPLY AS URMS! and don't worry about the haters! this whole application process is like a game, just play it using EVERY SINGLE RESOURCE you can get and JUST GET IN! the rest will follow! Good luck!

 

[Karina]

I dunno, I didn't apply as an URM. I'm dominican, so I wasn't sure if I could do that. All I know is that adcoms seem impressed with my VR score on the MCAT and how fluent I am in english considering I've only been in the US 4 years... I've gotten a lot of cool comments from them....I hope they remember that when they're looking at my file 🙂

Karina

 

[Croatalus_atrox]

There's no such thing as "applying as URM", dammit! I really wish people would stop repeating the nonsense that you can choose to apply as underrepresented in medicine. All you can do is indicate your racial and ethnic backgrounds on the AMCAS in the appropriate section (and potentially in the secondaries), and then let the med schools decide whether to give preferential admissions consideration based on your responses. I'm sick of people thinking that being considered an URM is as simple as checking a box somewhere on med school applications.

The truth is, you almost never know if you will receive preferential consideration as URM unless you ask the adcoms of each school that you are applying to. In my experience, they aren't generally too forthcoming in answering such questions, though. You'd be hard pressed to get anyone to give you a straight answer to such a direct question, because few people would want to go on the record about their school's admissions policies. Apparently, from posts in this thread though, some schools will answer the question if asked.

 

[PeruvianDoctor]

Thanks for clearing the whole URM thing out. Still waiting for interviews...feel like I'm in purgatory.

 

[Elastase]

We'll all pray for you then...hopefully its comforting that you will get out on Judgement day.

 

[spongiebob]

B]HOLA A TODOS

No me hab?a percatado de este thread. Soy nacida en cuba, tengo 19 a?os, estudio en FIU en la Florida. Pienso tomar el MCAT en agosto de este a?o. Me alegra mucho ver a otros latinos luchando por alcanzar sus metas! Les deseo lo mejor a todos en este proceso than pesado y tedioso.
Never give up! Dios los bendiga a todos 🙂

 

[felipe5]

Saludos desde Kansas City.....Soy un Colombiano en mi primer an~o en la escuela de medicina de la U. de Kansas......... les deseo buena suerte a los que estan metidos hastas sus codos en aplicaciones o en sus estudios.

~felipe

 

[Elastase]

Any updates on you ppl that have applied this year?...as in how your interviews went (I hope they went well).

Mike

 

[Doc Martins]

Interesting link of Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic stats from this year?s application cycle:

http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2004/mcatgparaceeth.htm

 

[cammy1313]

After recently filling out apps for programs that target underserved communities (i.e. PRIME-LC, Drew/UCLA), I was just curious how the rest of you thought we'd best be able to make an impact on these areas as physicians? After having lived in Peru (I'm from Lima) I KNOW I want to do SOMETHING to aid the Hispanic community. I have these overly-ambitious goals of having a private practice while volunteering at free clinics in the disadvantaged parts of southern California. We just need to get doctors to want to work in the ghettos, but how?

 

[the other Dr.]

After recently filling out apps for programs that target underserved communities (i.e. PRIME-LC, Drew/UCLA), I was just curious how the rest of you thought we'd best be able to make an impact on these areas as physicians? After having lived in Peru (I'm from Lima) I KNOW I want to do SOMETHING to aid the Hispanic community. I have these overly-ambitious goals of having a private practice while volunteering at free clinics in the disadvantaged parts of southern California. We just need to get doctors to want to work in the ghettos, but how?

We need to change policy! One thing we need is more incentives to work in low-income areas. Originally I thought I could make a big difference by opening free-clinics and programs to overcome barriers to care, but I will need to know how to do this, so I will get my MPH or Master of Health Policy. One person can make a huge differnce, but it's really hard to get programs started without funding or community support. Whatever I do I believe I will need to be involved in politics as a least some level, lobbying why it is so important to provide care to all people. What are other people's thoughts?

 

[CreativeWriter]

We not only need to change policy, but we need more Hispanics in academic medicine, basic science research, politics, and other areas. I must certainly agree...you can have all good intentions, but if you don't have the backup, resources, network, etc from different perspectives...it's uphill to make a change! but not impossible. definitely keep that in mind when considering medical schools, as I think it's an important aspect. While the incentive to work in low-income areas is idealistic, do know that becoming a physician is a career of service. You should not serve a community because of the incentive you receive. But rather, for the passion and commitment that have you have towards that community. they have programs that pay-off your medical school dept, I believe is the National Health Service Corps, if you decide to do medical work in a medically undeserved communtiy.

Best,

We need to change policy! One thing we need is more incentives to work in low-income areas. Originally I thought I could make a big difference by opening free-clinics and programs to overcome barriers to care, but I will need to know how to do this, so I will get my MPH or Master of Health Policy. One person can make a huge differnce, but it's really hard to get programs started without funding or community support. Whatever I do I believe I will need to be involved in politics as a least some level, lobbying why it is so important to provide care to all people. What are other people's thoughts?

 

[the other Dr.]

I don't need incentives to work in underserved areas nor do I need to be Latino, but some good doctors with great intentions may be more inclined to work for the underserved if the benefits were better. For example, many doctors don't take Medicaid because in some cases they lose money. Those that do keep these patients may be taking extreme loses depending on where thay are, but they are committed to service so they continue. But, I believe more docs would except Medicaid if it paid for more cost thus the ability to serve more people.

We not only need to change policy, but we need more Hispanics in academic medicine, basic science research, politics, and other areas. I must certainly agree...you can have all good intentions, but if you don't have the backup, resources, network, etc from different perspectives...it's uphill to make a change! but not impossible. definitely keep that in mind when considering medical schools, as I think it's an important aspect. While the incentive to work in low-income areas is idealistic, do know that becoming a physician is a career of service. You should not serve a community because of the incentive you receive. But rather, for the passion and commitment that have you have towards that community. they have programs that pay-off your medical school dept, I believe is the National Health Service Corps, if you decide to do medical work in a medically undeserved communtiy.

Best,

 

[cammy1313]

I'm definately in agreement as to finding financial insentives to get more doctors into underserved areas. The only problem is that I'm at a loss on how to do it in a way that might actually come to fruition. Policy reform to improve Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement and these things would be the ideal but I don't believe we will come anywhere close to achieving such things in my life time. I know quick fixes are never the answer either or we would have been able to nip this problem in the bud a long time ago. I think there are plenty of motivated people out there but they are just too financially driven to make any effort to address the health problems of the disadvantaged. I think admitting individuals into med school that show signs of perhaps taking on this endeavor is probably the key. But, the admissions process is already rediculous as it is so who knows. At least there are programs like PRIME-LC and Drew/UCLA that tackle this issue from the right angle. I'm praying for more programs like these to come about in the future, I think that's probably the more feasible solution overall.

 

[Tristy]

Hola muchachos!!

No lo puedo evitar pero tengo que escribirlo aqui, todavia estoy que no lo creo! Recibi una invitacion para entrevistar en Dartmouth!! Hoy volvimos de donde mis suegros y ahi estaba en el buzon 😀 si no fuera por el dvd que mandan yo ya creia que era una rejection Ahora lo que tengo que hacer es prepararme para la entrev., aparte del interview feedback, ustedes que recomiendan? Gracias por la info! 😀 😀
(todavia tengo una sonrisa estupida plantada en la cara, jejeje)

 

[MadameLULU]

Felicidades 👍

Hola muchachos!!

No lo puedo evitar pero tengo que escribirlo aqui, todavia estoy que no lo creo! Recibi una invitacion para entrevistar en Dartmouth!! Hoy volvimos de donde mis suegros y ahi estaba en el buzon 😀 si no fuera por el dvd que mandan yo ya creia que era una rejection Ahora lo que tengo que hacer es prepararme para la entrev., aparte del interview feedback, ustedes que recomiendan? Gracias por la info! 😀 😀
(todavia tengo una sonrisa estupida plantada en la cara, jejeje)

 

[CreativeWriter]

Hey Tristy, Congratulations on your Dartmouth interview. I interviewed there, and was accepted for thei Dartmouth-Brown Program. Email me if you have any questions!

Hola muchachos!!

No lo puedo evitar pero tengo que escribirlo aqui, todavia estoy que no lo creo! Recibi una invitacion para entrevistar en Dartmouth!! Hoy volvimos de donde mis suegros y ahi estaba en el buzon 😀 si no fuera por el dvd que mandan yo ya creia que era una rejection Ahora lo que tengo que hacer es prepararme para la entrev., aparte del interview feedback, ustedes que recomiendan? Gracias por la info! 😀 😀
(todavia tengo una sonrisa estupida plantada en la cara, jejeje)

 

[Tristy]

Hey Tristy, Congratulations on your Dartmouth interview. I interviewed there, and was accepted for thei Dartmouth-Brown Program. Email me if you have any questions!

Hi Creative! Thanks, I am really thrilled that they invited me, although I don't have too much hope because my MCAT is a tiny 28, and as I saw on the profiles pages all the people with 28's&29's were rejected. Nonetheless I am excited to get to visit another state! I will definitely PM you, thank you! 😀
PS: And congrats on your acceptance 👍

 

[CreativeWriter]

Hey Tristy,

The MCAT is just a two digit number. It's used to assess your ability to complete medical school education...if they have given you an interview, they consider that you have the academic credentials to complete a MD program....now they want to know whether you have the personal ability to become a true, compassionate physician.

Dartmouth is very liberal-minded oriented, so keep that in mind...

pvt me for any specific questions!

Hi Creative! Thanks, I am really thrilled that they invited me, although I don't have too much hope because my MCAT is a tiny 28, and as I saw on the profiles pages all the people with 28's&29's were rejected. Nonetheless I am excited to get to visit another state! I will definitely PM you, thank you! 😀
PS: And congrats on your acceptance 👍

 

[Tristy]

Hey Tristy,

The MCAT is just a two digit number. It's used to assess your ability to complete medical school education...if they have given you an interview, they consider that you have the academic credentials to complete a MD program....now they want to know whether you have the personal ability to become a true, compassionate physician.

Dartmouth is very liberal-minded oriented, so keep that in mind...

pvt me for any specific questions!

Creative, Thanks for the support 🙂 I hope they can see how much I want this 😳

 

[cammy1313]

Anyone recieved any news recently?

I got one rejection, one waitlist, and have an interview coming up on Monday at my top choice (UC Irvine)!

Cammy

 

[CreativeWriter]

Congratulations on your UCLA/DREW interview.

I went to UCLA Geffen for an interview recently, and met SO many wonderful DREW/UCLA students. All of them are REALLY happy to be there, and have a strong social justice and service mind. I actually applied to UCLA/Drew, but never heard from them...It's definitely a great program, and an honor to be around so many minorities wanting to serve their communities through medicine.

Don't give up hope yet...I am confident that things will turn out well!


Anyone else has good news or recent updates??

I have been eating too much over X-mas, but what can I say!


Best wishes to all in this new year!

CW

Anyone recieved any news recently?

I got one rejection, one waitlist, and have an interview coming up on Monday at my top choice (UC Irvine)!

Cammy

 

[Elastase]

Anybody have an update on their application process?

Mike