Question for Asian students who went to a mainly Black medical school...

[Gauss44]

I have an Asian student who grew up in the United States and is considering applying to some primarily black medical schools because she likes those schools on paper but has not visited yet. She is wondering if their are other Asian students on here who have gone to "Black" schools and what their experiences were like.

Given the nature of this post, PMs are more than welcome. No need to reply publicly unless you are entirely comfortable doing so. I will any PM responses private!

PS - I assume it's probably not much different than going to a mostly white school but am putting the question out there anyway. ...There may or may not be slight cultural differences for better or for worse or for neither.

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[allantois]

So she wants to serve the community she has no knowledge of?

 

[Gauss44]

So she wants to serve the community she has no knowledge of?

Incorrect.

 

[jbryant9]

Well there's only 3 HBCU medical schools, and those are Howard, Morehouse, and Meharry, so you could only be talking about those 3. Why does she want to go there? What about the school or the curriculum or the mission attracts her there? I'm not yet in medical school, but I did go to another HBCU across from one of the medical schools. You'd be surprised at how diverse some of the HBCU med schools are, especially my neighboring one which I also did research at. It is a different culture because most students aren't white. One should go into one of these schools with an open mind and not expect all black students to be alike, which is something black students everywhere, and especially those who attend HBCUs like myself, have to encounter. If she takes everyone as an individual, she'll be shown that same respect. Also, it seems like she is genuinely interested in going to one of these schools, and that's great because I've seen and heard of a few non-minority students who go to HBCU medical schools because it might have been the only school they got into and they can seem entitled, especially when interacting with patients from around the medical school community. Of course that is not all non-minority HBCU medical students, but I have heard this from medical students who attend the majority Black med school near me. Like I said, there are bound to be cultural differences because she'll be interacting with a different majority culture, but remember that there is diversity amongst those of the same race/ethnicity, and also tell her to be enthusiastic about whichever school she ends up at, and she should have a pleasant experience.

 

[Gauss44]

Well there's only 3 HBCU medical schools, and those are Howard, Morehouse, and Meharry, so you could only be talking about those 3. Why does she want to go there? What about the school or the curriculum or the mission attracts her there? I'm not yet in medical school, but I did go to another HBCU across from one of the medical schools. You'd be surprised at how diverse some of the HBCU med schools are, especially my neighboring one which I also did research at. It is a different culture because most students aren't white. One should go into one of these schools with an open mind and not expect all black students to be alike, which is something black students everywhere, and especially those who attend HBCUs like myself, have to encounter. If she takes everyone as an individual, she'll be shown that same respect. Also, it seems like she is genuinely interested in going to one of these schools, and that's great because I've seen and heard of a few non-minority students who go to HBCU medical schools because it might have been the only school they got into and they can seem entitled, especially when interacting with patients from around the medical school community. Of course that is not all non-minority HBCU medical students, but I have heard this from medical students who attend the majority Black med school near me. Like I said, there are bound to be cultural differences because she'll be interacting with a different majority culture, but remember that there is diversity amongst those of the same race/ethnicity, and also tell her to be enthusiastic about whichever school she ends up at, and she should have a pleasant experience.

Diversity is one motivating factor. I'm not sure about all of her reasons. She has a high GPA and MCAT so that isn't the reason.

 

[slow twitch]

I have an Asian student who grew up in the United States and is considering applying to some primarily black medical schools because she likes those schools on paper but has not visited yet. She is wondering if their are other Asian students on here who have gone to "Black" schools and what their experiences were like.

Given the nature of this post, PMs are more than welcome. No need to reply publicly unless you are entirely comfortable doing so. I will any PM responses private!

PS - I assume it's probably not much different than going to a mostly white school but am putting the question out there anyway. ...There may or may not be slight cultural differences for better or for worse or for neither.

Are you some kind of teacher or premed advisor?

 

[jbryant9]

That's good, because it seems like she's genuinely interested in the programs. Does she know what kind of patient population she wants to work with in the future?

 

[Gauss44]

Are you some kind of teacher or premed advisor?

Tutor and mentor for a local community center. Can't get any more specific on an anonymous forum.

 

[vellez]

If you are applying to medical schools, I don't think it is at all necessary to visit them before applying. I think that if she makes herself a desirable applicant in general, and focuses in on what those schools like (community service, etc), she may have a shot at being competitive.

 

[Goro]

Suggest inquiring in the Allo or school-specific forums.

I have an Asian student who grew up in the United States and is considering applying to some primarily black medical schools because she likes those schools on paper but has not visited yet. She is wondering if their are other Asian students on here who have gone to "Black" schools and what their experiences were like.

Given the nature of this post, PMs are more than welcome. No need to reply publicly unless you are entirely comfortable doing so. I will any PM responses private!

PS - I assume it's probably not much different than going to a mostly white school but am putting the question out there anyway. ...There may or may not be slight cultural differences for better or for worse or for neither.

 

[Gauss44]

If you are applying to medical schools, I don't think it is at all necessary to visit them before applying. I think that if she makes herself a desirable applicant in general, and focuses in on what those schools like (community service, etc), she may have a shot at being competitive.

Visiting helps students to decide if they would like to be on that campus... Do they like the facilities, the people, etc.?

(For example, when I visit a campus for my own purposes, I make sure that they have quiet libraries with long hours that I would be comfortable studying in. Everyone has different priorities, but that is one of mine. If allowed, I will sit in there and read a book for a few hours to see what it's like. I may also visit some student groups and go to local hangouts to see if the social factor is okay and it usually is. Of course, there is only so much you can learn in one visit.)

 

[gyngyn]

Unduplicated percentages of Asian students in the first year class:
Meharry: 9%
Morehouse: 9%
Howard: 13%

For comparison:
Rosalind Franklin: 28%
Albany: 29%
NY med: 17%

She may certainly apply, but matriculation data suggests that there are many places where her odds are better.