Mexican but I don't look Mexican, am I URM?

[Speedster2112]

I am half mexican from my mom's side, who was born in mexico and lived there for several years. My dad is completely white. I took after my dad and am white as snow, I don't look hispanic at all. Should I mark down mexican for the demographic info on AMCAS or should I mark white? I don't want to seem disingenuous and like I'm trying to milk the URM card.

Wikipedia defines mexican american as Americans of full or partial Mexican descent.

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[libertyyne]

List both!

 

[AttemptingScholar]

I don't think it's disingenuous. The 'point' of URMs is to have doctors who understand the unique needs of patients in those groups, not to have a sufficiently diverse looking class photo. Being raised in the culture certainly helps you with that.

 

[gyngyn]

Language skills and a validated commitment to service would go a long way in a case like this.

 

[jcorpsmanMD]

I don't think it's disingenuous. The 'point' of URMs is to have doctors who understand the unique needs of patients in those groups, not to have a sufficiently diverse looking class photo. Being raised in the culture certainly helps you with that.

If he has to ask this question I think it's fair to say he wasn't raised in the culture. You're completely right about the class photo bit though, haha.

 

[UnassumingToad]

.

 

[Speedster2112]

Language skills and a validated commitment to service would go a long way in a case like this.

I was wondering if my background in the Mexican culture may make it more viable to list myself as both Mexican and white. My first language was Spanish. I went to a bilingual school where they taught both Spanish and English until third grade. I also experienced the culture by spending most of my childhood with my Grandma whom only speaks Spanish. After the third grade, I moved to the northern suburbs, went to an English speaking school and had little engagement with the Mexican culture. The only time I would engage with Mexican culture was when I visited my mom's side of the family. Due to the little engagement with the Mexican culture my Spanish speaking skills have diminished. Today, I have intermediate Spanish speaking skills and could not hold a conversation in Spanish for longer than thirty seconds. I still have a familiarity with the culture because I was well exposed in my childhood but have not actively engaged in volunteering in Mexican communities. Based on my past experiences would most medical schools consider me to be a genuine URM.

 

[all things possible]

I was wondering if my background in the Mexican culture may make it more viable to list myself as both Mexican and white. My first language was Spanish. I went to a bilingual school where they taught both Spanish and English until third grade. I also experienced the culture by spending most of my childhood with my Grandma whom only speaks Spanish. After the third grade, I moved to the northern suburbs, went to an English speaking school and had little engagement with the Mexican culture. The only time I would engage with Mexican culture was when I visited my mom's side of the family. Due to the little engagement with the Mexican culture my Spanish speaking skills have diminished. Today, I have intermediate Spanish speaking skills and could not hold a conversation in Spanish for longer than thirty seconds. I still have a familiarity with the culture because I was well exposed in my childhood but have not actively engaged in volunteering in Mexican communities. Based on my past experiences would most medical schools consider me to be a genuine URM.

No commitment or service to Mexican populations = no URM IMO

 

[Cawolf]

most medical schools consider me to be a genuine URM.

Then why are you asking?

 

[Nathan17182]

I'm literally in the exact same boat. Mexican mom, white dad. I look white and have a white last name. I will definitely be listing white AND Hispanic (Mexican). Your looks don't define your cultural heritage or the environment in which you were raised. For me, I didn't grow up in Mexico, but I grew up and went to school in an area where I was the minority looking like a guerro/white boy (those were nicknames growing up lol)

Just be honest about who you are.

Edit: If you don't personally identify yourself as Mexican (like in casual conversation), I wouldn't put it down. You should'nt have to google a Wikipedia definition to know whether or not you're Mexican. That said, I definitely understand having reservations about disclosing your Hispanic side while looking like a white person. I've gotten push back in the past about that.

I would agree with this for the first part: Put White and hispanic for your race and ethnicity. Your looks don't define your cultural heritage or the environment in which you were raised.

I'm African American, but I was adopted by two white parents and I was raised in an almost exclusively white area (I was the only black kid in my class from pre-school through 5th grade with the exception of 1st grade.) Because of that I obviously strongly identify with "white" culture and even (wrongfully lol) said growing up that I was basically white anyway. However, I'm still an URM regardless of how I was raised. Since high school and coming to college I have have really discovered my black identity and have had the opportunity really explore what it means to be African American. I know that my situation is different because I obviously look black lol, but I think our situations are somewhat comparable.

Bottom line: My opinion is put white and hispanic. You do have some experience with Mexican culture and that alone is very valuable. I would put some time in and practice your Spanish because that is a skill that not only will be beneficial to your career, but also make your patients that much more comfortable with you. Also you seem to be struggling with this because you don't have strong connections with Mexican culture. You should take this as an opportunity to re-discover your Mexican/Hispanic identity. Reach out to your maternal family members, talk with your mother about Mexican culture, go to yours school Latino Culture Center if they have one. You're definitely Hispanic and you should embrace that! Sorry for the essay lol.

 

[all things possible]

I would agree with this for the first part: Put White and hispanic for your race and ethnicity. Your looks don't define your cultural heritage or the environment in which you were raised.

I'm African American, but I was adopted by two white parents and I was raised in an almost exclusively white area (I was the only black kid in my class from pre-school through 5th grade with the exception of 1st grade.) Because of that I obviously strongly identify with "white" culture and even (wrongfully lol) said growing up that I was basically white anyway. However, I'm still an URM regardless of how I was raised. Since high school and coming to college I have have really discovered my black identity and have had the opportunity really explore what it means to be African American. I know that my situation is different because I obviously look black lol, but I think our situations are somewhat comparable.

Bottom line: My opinion is put white and hispanic. You do have some experience with Mexican culture and that alone is very valuable. I would put some time in and practice your Spanish because that is a skill that not only will be beneficial to your career, but also make your patients that much more comfortable with you. Also you seem to be struggling with this because you don't have strong connections with Mexican culture. You should take this as an opportunity to re-discover your Mexican/Hispanic identity. Reach out to your maternal family members, talk with your mother about Mexican culture, go to yours school Latino Culture Center if they have one. You're definitely Hispanic and you should embrace that! Sorry for the essay lol.

This isn't a question about whether someone should or shouldn't embrace their culture. Your situation is actually similar but in an opposite way. OP was integrated into the Mexican culture early on but since 3rd grade has no connection to that part of their heritage and now wants to recconect for application purposes. You on the other hand, found your connection to the African American culture through experiences after high school.

Adcoms would want to see commitment and service to those populations of which OP is claiming ties to.

If someone has to ask then usually the answer is no.

 

[Nathan17182]

This isn't a question about whether someone should or shouldn't embrace their culture. Your situation is actually similar but in an opposite way. OP was integrated into the Mexican culture early on but since 3rd grade has no connection to that part of their heritage and now wants to recconect for application purposes. You on the other hand, found your connection to the African American culture through experiences after high school.

Adcoms would want to see commitment and service to those populations of which OP is claiming ties to.

If someone has to ask then usually the answer is no.

Ah, I do see your point. I guess I kinda ignored that this was for application purposes. I would have to agree with you then.

 

[all things possible]

Ah, I do see your point. I guess I kinda ignored that this was for application purposes. I would have to agree with you then.

It's great if OP wants to reconnect with her Mexican side but it should be unrelated to all and any admission purposes.

It could definitely be helpful later down the road if OP finds an interest in working with Mexican populations as brushing up on their Spanish skills can only be seen as beneficial.

As a side note...I think it's great that you were able to make those connections with the other part of who you are despite your environment! That will definitely provide prospective in your medical studies and career. 🙂

 

[bbbcccppp]

You didn't make the rules. 50% is half and you speak some Spanish. I would say putting it down may help and wouldn't hurt. It's not like you are going back 4 generations to make your claim


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[jcorpsmanMD]

OP - by all means check that box saying that you are Hispanic / Mexican-American. You are, just don't sell yourself as somebody you are not. I had a friend similar to yourself, she was 3/4 Mexican but by no means did she relate to the culture or have a traditional upbringing nor speak a lick of Spanish. That is OKAY. Whether it helped her application or not I'm not sure but she got into a top pharmacy school.

The only thing you don't want to come off as is somebody appearing disingenuous trying to get that extra boost on their app. Don't lie and say you speak Spanish if you don't, etc. I am Mexican-American myself but a large part of who I am and my backstory is just that: being / growing up as a Mexican-American immersed in the culture at home / with family, speaking Spanish, the typical first-generation struggles, etc. Just because you didn't have an upbringing similar to my own does not mean you are not Mexican-American. So go ahead and self-identify yourself as such 🙂


EDIT: I wanted to touch up on the, "I don't look Mexican" phrase.. contrary to popular belief not all Mexicans are short and tan. A good minority of us that hail from certain states in Mexico have blonde hair / blue eyes / WHITE skin. Just a tad bit of knowledge for y'all!

 

[Anicetus]

Oh cmon. You definitely are URM. Embrace it and bathe in its benefits. You'll thank us later. Let me know if the cadavers at Harvard have gold running though their veins.

 

[P0ke]

Relevant video

 

[boogerlice]

If you do mark our down, just be ready to potentially have a interviewer think you're gaming the system. I'm Mexican American and am more tan than brown and had interviewer actually question me about my heritage. I think he thought I was "white" hispanic and it felt like he was interrogating me. I felt like telling him that mom would describe herself as la India Maria and I am definitely not the pure Spanish that he conspicuously implied.

If you can make the case for having a connection with the culture and people it could help. I'd say mark it down, make your car, and let them decide if it's a plus or not.

 

[Lost in Translation]

No commitment or service to Mexican populations = no URM IMO

This is bull****.

OP, read this: The struggle of being told you're "not Latina enough"

 

[all things possible]

This is bull****.

OP, read this: The struggle of being told you're "not Latina enough"

I should've clarified. No commitment or service to certain populations = No URM "benefit"

Of course OP should check how they identify themselves and they indeed part Mexican. Check what gyngyn stated.

 

[Geo16]

I am half mexican from my mom's side, who was born in mexico and lived there for several years. My dad is completely white. I took after my dad and am white as snow, I don't look hispanic at all. Should I mark down mexican for the demographic info on AMCAS or should I mark white? I don't want to seem disingenuous and like I'm trying to milk the URM card.

Wikipedia defines mexican american as Americans of full or partial Mexican descent.

Maybe Louis C.K. might give you an idea: he identifies his race as White, but his ethnicity as Mexican.





Not born in Mexico, but grew up in Mexico from 1 to 7? His father's side - his grandfather is Hungarian Jew & his grandmother is Mexican.
Conclusion: be like him, identify yourself as Mexican & White. I'm pretty sure in your 2020 census, you'll mark Hispanic Mexican as ethnicity and White as race (if I was born in Mexico, I would put Hispanic Mexican & Korean).

 

[21Rush12]

I vote put it down also, it's who you feel you are and there's no disputing that. You certainly won't be hurt by it.

Great username by the way @Speedster2112


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[pyrrion89]

I am half mexican from my mom's side, who was born in mexico and lived there for several years. My dad is completely white. I took after my dad and am white as snow, I don't look hispanic at all. Should I mark down mexican for the demographic info on AMCAS or should I mark white? I don't want to seem disingenuous and like I'm trying to milk the URM card.

Wikipedia defines mexican american as Americans of full or partial Mexican descent.

I know lots of half-white people who marked URM in my class. So you can. Whether you ought to is totally another consideration.
I guess if you look white then you can't claim you overcame challenges of discrimination, because you look white and your name is white on paper.
I guess you could argue you'd offer diversity of perspectives or experience. Or say that you're committed to helping Mexicans (if that's true).

 

[JoeCaputo]

Not all mexican's look the same. I think people think of the native american ancestory based mexican's when they say that word, but there are European descendents as well.

And yes, my opinion is that you should put it. Young people have too much pride these days, they want to do everything on their own, and think that getting help is somehow negative. Take every advantage you can get in this life. Rich benefactor wants to make you a partner, swallow your pride and take it. Take every advantage that is offered to you. If some haters try to say you had special circumstances, it doesn't matter. All that matters is where you end up.

 

[plinkko]

"Hispanic" doesn't denote race bit rather an ethnic identification. You can be Hispanic and belong to any race. It's a stereotype in America than Hispanic are always mestizo (indigenous and Spanish blood) but there are people of African descent, European descent, fully indigenous descent, and even Asian descent (like the Peruvians of Chinese descent and Argentines of Japanese descent) who also identify as Hispanic. There are also many Mexicans and Argentines of partial Lebanese or Levantine descent.

If you feel connected to your Hispanophone background, just mark it.

 

[Speedster2112]

🙂

 

[Speedster2112]

🙂