Question for URM...

[KornKobs]

This may be a silly question but I was wondering if the percentage matters in calling myself an URM...for med school. I am Native American, but 1/8. I cannot be registered in my tribe bc I would have to be at least 1/4. So I was wondering if any here are familiar with these terms. Can I still be qualified as an URM if my dad is a member of the tribe? 😕

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[ChocolateKiss]

This may be a silly question but I was wondering if the percentage matters in calling myself an URM...for med school. I am Native American, but 1/8. I cannot be registered in my tribe bc I would have to be at least 1/4. So I was wondering if any here are familiar with these terms. Can I still be qualified as an URM if my dad is a member of the tribe? 😕

I'd get specific confirmation of this, but a NA friend of mine told me if your tribe won't cerify you, you can't count it on school applications. This was in reference to ugrad though, not med school.

 

[geekOCD]

I'm pretty sure you need the tribal certification as well.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

I'm pretty sure you need the tribal certification as well.

yea, I agree; otherwise anyone would use any % of any URM races to get the added application advantage.

 

[riceman04]

I'd get specific confirmation of this, but a NA friend of mine told me if your tribe won't cerify you, you can't count it on school applications. This was in reference to ugrad though, not med school.

Sorry, I cannot help you.

I have a question though: Did you grow up in a community with URM's making up the majority (like on a reservation)?

 

[KornKobs]

Well, my grandparents are currently living on a reservation in WA. my g-ma told me to put down that I'm native american bc of grants.. doesnt work out bc they all say I need to be a federally recognized member so i cant get any of them. i'm so annoyed right now. and every time i try calling up there (enrollment at the tribe) i never get an answer so i leave a message...never get a call back..what the hell!? just frustrated bc i fall right below the cut off.

 

[nimotsu]

Native Americans are actually the most blessed of all URM... URM status and can open casinos on federal terrority in states that usually don't allow gambling and get the revenue tax free!!

See http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/che/

 

[Saluki]

I think you need to be a registered member of a tribe....

 

[MoosePilot]

The Native American issue is more difficult than most people understand. My mother's birth certificate lists her mother's ethnicity as "indian". The Cherokee tribe will only allow tribal membership if you can document your descent from at least one of 2 or 3 rolls that not everyone signed. Because of the confusion, I asked AAMC that question and this was their answer:

Hi Moosepilot,

Thank you for contacting AMCAS.

There is no policy procedure set in place for designating a racial status.

We leave this totally up to the applicant to choose.

Once you choose a race/ethnicity you will not have to send in supporting documentation for proof.

-----------------------------------------------

If you have any questions or if we can be of additional assistance, please contact us at [email protected] or (202) 828-0600.

AMCAS
Association of American Medical Colleges
Section for Medical School Application Services
2450 N St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
U.S.A.

General Inquiries: (202) 828-0600
Fax: (202) 828-1120
www.aamc.org/AMCAS



nma

 

[KornKobs]

Native Americans are actually the most blessed of all URM... URM status and can open casinos on federal terrority in states that usually don't allow gambling and get the revenue tax free!!

See http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/che/

yea my family's tribe actually has its own casino. it's pretty nice, the buffet...since i cant gamble yet 🙁

 

[KornKobs]

The Native American issue is more difficult than most people understand. My mother's birth certificate lists her mother's ethnicity as "indian". The Cherokee tribe will only allow tribal membership if you can document your descent from at least one of 2 or 3 rolls that not everyone signed. Because of the confusion, I asked AAMC that question and this was their answer:

Hi Moosepilot,

Thank you for contacting AMCAS.

There is no policy procedure set in place for designating a racial status.

We leave this totally up to the applicant to choose.

Once you choose a race/ethnicity you will not have to send in supporting documentation for proof.

-----------------------------------------------

If you have any questions or if we can be of additional assistance, please contact us at [email protected] or (202) 828-0600.

AMCAS
Association of American Medical Colleges
Section for Medical School Application Services
2450 N St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
U.S.A.

General Inquiries: (202) 828-0600
Fax: (202) 828-1120
www.aamc.org/AMCAS



nma

Thank you so much! That relieves some of the aggravation I've been going through about this. Although, I'm still interested in becoming a member somehow. It's weird, my dad was telling me that some tribes will actually "adopt" you into a different tribe if you don't quite meet the requirements for a specific tribe. Well I would prefer being in my family's tribe. I'm gonna try to call them again today and if no answer... 😡 😡 😡 😡 😡

 

[MoosePilot]

Thank you so much! That relieves some of the aggravation I've been going through about this. Although, I'm still interested in becoming a member somehow. It's weird, my dad was telling me that some tribes will actually "adopt" you into a different tribe if you don't quite meet the requirements for a specific tribe. Well I would prefer being in my family's tribe. I'm gonna try to call them again today and if no answer... 😡 😡 😡 😡 😡

Yes, it's frustrating. I've done research on getting into the tribe that I believe I should be in, but had no luck. I'm going to do more research when my life slows down, but for now it doesn't really matter.

 

[psr13]

See, my problem is that I am part Cherokee. I don't believe my ancestor signed one of those few rolls, though. Since the name is not on the roll, I can never gain membership into the tribe as far as I know.

 

[infiniti]

Can't really help you since I am not Native American. However I think you should only put yourself down as a URM if you identify with the culture. Have you lived amongst other Native Americans for the most part of your life? Do you face the struggles faced by the average Native American? Did you/ do you work in the community?

This is by no means a complete list, just some of the important questions you should ask yourself.

Peace!

 

[Elastase]

Yeah definitely consider those questions that infiniti put above. For the most part, if you are URM, you don't really get additional points (extra consideration) during the appliation process if you are just like everyone else (grades, clinical, research experience, etc.) Your minority status will not alone help you.

I think you get really recognized if you involve yourself within your community and make some kind of impact that way (your tribe)...or faced some kind of struggle because of your minority/socioeconomic status. Just identifying with your tribe is not enough...IMHO it doesn't really bring diversity into the class, you need to take that additional step in helping your community or faced some kind of hurdle. Good luck!

 

[sanche60]

Can't really help you since I am not Native American. However I think you should only put yourself down as a URM if you identify with the culture. Have you lived amongst other Native Americans for the most part of your life? Do you face the struggles faced by the average Native American? Did you/ do you work in the community?

This is by no means a complete list, just some of the important questions you should ask yourself.

Peace!

So someone who is african american, but has been surrounded by white people their entire life, isnt really black? yeaaaaahh right.

 

[infiniti]

I happen to be one of those black who have been around white people for their entire lives (even when I was in Africa). Being around white people doesn't make me any less black. My skin is obviously dark and I don't think the number of white people I know will do anything to change that. My dark skin has obviously brought me a lot pain, yet it has brought me hapiness and self fufillment.

The question you should ask is whether I have been active in the black community. The answer to that would be a big Yes! As a black person in this country, I have faced challenges that (if not careful) could knock you down and kill your morale. I have survived and continue to survive. It is my duty to help those after me to understand that it is possible to survive (Be it in school, about HIV (which is killing African Americans and Africans at an alarming rate), or just being a big brother to a student in need).

There is this notion that being black, and knowing a lot of white people automatically means you are not relating to the black community. This makes no sense. Being that I am a human being, I will relate to anyone who has similar interests or purpose. This is usually not restricted to any race. I have friends across the board and it makes my life very interesting.


There is just the realization that being black in America brings certain challenges. It is for that reason that I have to work with others to stop or at least reduce these problems. People don't have to be two dimensional.

 

[Will Ferrell]

I happen to be one of those black who have been around white people for their entire lives (even when I was in Africa). Being around white people doesn't make me any less black. My skin is obviously dark and I don't think the number of white people I know will do anything to change that. My dark skin has obviously brought me a lot pain, yet it has brought me hapiness and self fufillment.

The question you should ask is whether I have been active in the black community. The answer to that would be a big Yes! As a black person in this country, I have faced challenges that (if not careful) could knock you down and kill your morale. I have survived and continue to survive.

Hi, great story! I was wondering what types of pains and challenges you have faced? just curious...

 

[Bernito]

See, my problem is that I am part Cherokee. I don't believe my ancestor signed one of those few rolls, though. Since the name is not on the roll, I can never gain membership into the tribe as far as I know.

Its unfortunate that only at this point have you tried to connect to your NA heritage. But we are all continually learning about ourselves and the world. I think this whole thing is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the NA community.

I say check URM but also do a little research into why that check box is there and find out what it means to you.

 

[LizzyM]

Thank you for contacting AMCAS.

There is no policy procedure set in place for designating a racial status.

We leave this totally up to the applicant to choose.

Once you choose a race/ethnicity you will not have to send in supporting documentation for proof.

However, if you claim URM status, be prepared to answer questions related to the issues facing the URM community in which you claim "membership". While interviewers will usually shy away from personal questions about your race or ethnicity, you may be asked more general questions such as "In your opinion, what are the major health care issues facing your tribe?". If you fumble on that sort of question then you might leave the interviewer with the impression that you won't contribute to the diversity of experience that the adcom is looking for and haven't given any thought to the needs of the URM community.

 

[sanche60]

I happen to be one of those black who have been around white people for their entire lives (even when I was in Africa). Being around white people doesn't make me any less black. My skin is obviously dark and I don't think the number of white people I know will do anything to change that. My dark skin has obviously brought me a lot pain, yet it has brought me hapiness and self fufillment.

The question you should ask is whether I have been active in the black community. The answer to that would be a big Yes! As a black person in this country, I have faced challenges that (if not careful) could knock you down and kill your morale. I have survived and continue to survive. It is my duty to help those after me to understand that it is possible to survive (Be it in school, about HIV (which is killing African Americans and Africans at an alarming rate), or just being a big brother to a student in need).

There is this notion that being black, and knowing a lot of white people automatically means you are not relating to the black community. This makes no sense. Being that I am a human being, I will relate to anyone who has similar interests or purpose. This is usually not restricted to any race. I have friends across the board and it makes my life very interesting.


There is just the realization that being black in America brings certain challenges. It is for that reason that I have to work with others to stop or at least reduce these problems. People don't have to be two dimensional.

Exactly my point, well said.

 

[Labslave]

You guys have no idea how surprised I was to find that a flame war hadn't started in this thread by post #2. Good job, guys. 👍

 

[medhacker]

yea, I agree; otherwise anyone would use any % of any URM races to get the added application advantage.

The advantage is not all that...

 

[KornKobs]

Well I spoke with my gma about the membership issue. she basically said that I cannot be apart of the tribe because i have to be 1/4 (Nooksack tribe). So she had the enrollment manager fill out a bia form that states that i am a descendant. I will continue to put down that i'm native american since my family lives in the tribal area and participates in NA affairs. Unfortunately, I don't get to visit up there too often. 🙁

 

[chandelantern]

Well I spoke with my gma about the membership issue. she basically said that I cannot be apart of the tribe because i have to be 1/4 (Nooksack tribe). So she had the enrollment manager fill out a bia form that states that i am a descendant. I will continue to put down that i'm native american since my family lives in the tribal area and participates in NA affairs. Unfortunately, I don't get to visit up there too often. 🙁

Yes, you would be fine even if you do not have the paperwork. One of my friends who just applied this last application cycle is 1/8 NA and is not registered with any tribe, and she still put Native American, URM on her app. I don't think she's ever set foot on a reservation and I probably know more than her about the health disparities in the community, but that's OK. It's not going to get you in if you don't have a decent app, but it will help if you are a mediocre applicant. Diversity does mean alot to medical schools, and fortunately/unfortunately (depending on who you are) being able to check the box is what matters most when they look at diversity. Good luck with your application!