Medical Should I select Hispanic/Latino on application?

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi all,

I'm applying this cycle and came upon an issue with Hispanic/Latino checkbox after someone told me that Brazilian is not "technically" Hispanic/Latino according to the government. I've always checked as being Hispanic/Latino since early schooling as instructed by counselors—my parents are immigrants and my entire extended family lives there, I speak the language (and Spanish), I am a citizen, and I had lived there for a lot of my early childhood and go every year (it is a big part of my life). After hearing this, I am starting to get nervous regarding whether or not me checking this box will be viewed as disingenuine. I definitely don't look like a URM at a first glance (imagine a white-Italian looking guy) which is bugging me for future interviews. If they asked, I can definitely explain and also mention how I grew up like most URMs stereotypically do, but if I am silently judged I wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Am I just stressing for no reason or is this an issue?

Source: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/note/US/RHI725218

While Brazilian is not explicitly mentioned, you can self-identify as Latino according to the definition. No one should have issues with you on this if you mention most of your childhood was spent in Brazil.

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[gyngyn]

Though not UiM, it is fine to check Latino as a Brazilian.

 

[Goro]

You're not URM.

Latino? Probably.
Hispanic? No.

 

[Goro]

Im a bit confused on how I could put Latino yet not be viewed as a URM. Latinos are seen as URM by the AAMC, noted as kids who descend from “South America” or Latin-derived countries. I am a URM according to that definition, but I’m not technically URM according to other definitions. On the application, its just a checkbox: Hispanic/Latino. It seems like Hispanic=Latino to the AAMC. So regardless, I’ll be treated as a URM in admissions if I check this Hispanic/Latino box since I’m betting they filter that stuff out in the beginning and not after interviews. That's the issue...I don't want to seem like I am cheating because I'm a URM according to one definition and not another.

Not all Latinos are URM. Cubans and Colombians, for example, are well represented as doctors in the US. Puerto Ricans (sometimes) and Mexicans are the demographic most sought after.

Spanish language skills are always appreciated, and service to Hispanic communities, even more.

Individual schools get to determine whO is URM.