native american status?

[burlypie]

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What fraction native american do you have to be in order to check that box under race/ethnicity? Is it 1/8, 1/16 or 1/32?

 

[Doctora Foxy]

I once heard it was 1/4 but I'm not sure. 😕 There must be a help window to explain it on AMCAS, right?

 

[none]

I STRONGLY doubt there is a help box on AMCAS! This is a very touchy issue and not one that has such a distinct line. Blood percent isn't a politically correct way to determine ethnicity whatsoever. It hasn't been since the Dawes Act in the mid-1800's. Instead, what the OP needs to consider is whether or not they can discuss how their ethnicity has impacted their life and how it will impact their practice in medicine.

 

[sandflea]

in addition, to 'claim' native american heritage, you need to be able to show proof of registry with a particular tribe. you can't simply state that you have heritage.

 

[none]

Well, now I'm not sure I totally agree with sandflea. That may be taking it a bit far as such a requirement is certainly not present with any other URM group. Any evidence of that requirement, sandflea?

 

[edogg]

I'm also pretty sure that in order to claim yourself native american you need to have your tribal card as proof.

 

[none]

Pretty sure? I don't think ANY of these "requirements" are formal.

 

[Spiderman [RNA Ladder 2003]]

Every school has their own "thing" you should contact school you really want to apply to.

 

[paean]

And I've heard that you had to be 1/8 or have tribal registry to be considered in California, back when we still had affirmative action. But my source is suspect.

The real question may be, does you native american heritage affect your life (except for purposes of admission)? Did it affect where you grew up, your education, your parents education, etc.? Does it affect people's perception of you? That's what is looked for when you claim URM status, but are not sure you actually qualify.

 

[jot]

i've heard an 1/8 as well; and the bit about tribal registry card. but hey, its all heresay for me. does enough heresay make it true though? :wink:
-jot

 

[none]

No. Apparently there never has been anything actually written by the schools on this subject.

 

[sandflea]

i'm sure each individual medical school has their own policies for following up on native american status--not all might be willing to pursue it, especially since there are so few native american applicants to med school. however, i do know that many native american scholarships do require that you have proof of tribal registration to be eligible, so asking for proof of heritage in this manner isn't unheard of.

and no, there is no help box on the AMCAS app that tells you whether or not you are truly native american....

 

[AntGod22]

im a 1/4 native american. I believe you have to show your tribal registry number if you have too.

 

[someday soon?]

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