Should I take my passport to the interview?

[shinbeats]

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So long story short my dad was born in Ghana but raised in Egypt, he looks slightly Arab but is 100 % African since both of his parents are from Ghana. My mother is from Egypt and they pretty much met in Egypt and got married. Now the thing is that I have identified myself as African American even though I look slightly more Arab. I don't have any relationship to any Arab communities, to my mother at all, I've traveled to Ghana multiple times and most of the family that I know (which is my family from my fathers side) lives in Ghana. Matter of fact most of my clinical experience has been with the African American community too. So culturally and professionally I've been exposed to the African side of my parents. If you were to look at me at first glance you would think I'm a very dark skinned Arab. However, to make things even more confusing my dad served in the military and I was born in Malaysia on a military base- So technically I am an asian national! lol I guess some people could think I look Srilankan, Nepalese or something like that I have no idea? lol. Now I look like a wide variety of things:- Mexican, Malaysian, Arab, Indian, Persian etc. I've seriously heard people ask me if I'm any of these and many more- some people even asked me if I was a tanned Italian ( lol wtf!?). I'm just a really tanned guy that could pass off as many things but most of the time people think I'm Arab. I guess confusion happens when you're a MUT. I don't want ADCOM to think I'm playing the URM card and am just BSing around with this whole military base birth story- for all I know they might even think I actually look Malaysian. So what exactly do I need to do to counter any suspicion? or will suspicion even arise?
I was thinking about taking my passport to Ghana and maybe taking a picture of my dad but it would be really awkward pulling that stuff out during a medical school interview. I'm not trolling and really need advice thanks in advance.

 

[loho77]

I would really doubt that adcoms would challenge you about your race / qualification to be a URM. If you're worried about it bring the passport just for peace of mind.

 

[shinbeats]

I would really doubt that adcoms would challenge you about your race / qualification to be a URM. If you're worried about it bring the passport just for peace of mind, but I can't imagine that you'll be asked to show it. I certainly wouldn't bring it up.

Thanks! anyone else?

 

[Bacchus]

Just put it in the inside suit pocket if you're that worried. They won't even know you have it.

 

[BirdIsTheWord]

If you do, make sure you don't loose it. Also, be aware that I could get stolen

 

[HumbleMD]

Bring it; you'l clearly feel better (and if it's in a secure location - ie suitcoat pocket, relax).

But seriously, don't worry. Med schools aren't in the business of asking to see someone's race card (PS don't google image the term - very racist pics) at an interview. Someone may ask about your heritage but probably won't.

 

[flodhi1]

Bring it; you'l clearly feel better (and if it's in a secure location - ie suitcoat pocket, relax).

But seriously, don't worry. Med schools aren't in the business of asking to see someone's race card (PS don't google image the term - very racist pics) at an interview. Someone may ask about your heritage but probably won't.

That's weird haha someone could be Caucasian and then claim to be Mexican? ADCOM must have a way for filtering/investigating through people abusing the race card?

 

[HumbleMD]

That's weird haha someone could be Caucasian and then claim to be Mexican? ADCOM must have a way for filtering/investigating through people abusing the race card?

Yep, just like all the straight male roommates in NY are going to claim to be gay husbands to take advantage of domestic partner benefits.

Silly Adcoms, relying on applicants to have a shred of honesty and human decency.

 

[GetThePointe77]

You need to do what makes you feel comfortable. A lot of time if you are flying, you might be bringing your passport anyway (I know you can use your drivers license but lately passport can be good too)...as for questioning you on it I doubt unless you are claiming african american and look Irish (like a friend of mine who is from south africa), you probably will not have an issue.

 

[kautionwirez]

bring it. don't lose it.

 

[LifeTake2]

Yep, just like all the straight male roommates in NY are going to claim to be gay husbands to take advantage of domestic partner benefits.

Silly Adcoms, relying on applicants to have a shred of honesty and human decency.

Don't worry, a quick review of the "i was arrested in XYZ but I didn't do it, does that matter?" threads on SDN should resolve this question

 

[HumbleMD]

You need to do what makes you feel comfortable. A lot of time if you are flying, you might be bringing your passport anyway (I know you can use your drivers license but lately passport can be good too)...as for questioning you on it I doubt unless you are claiming african american and look Irish (like a friend of mine who is from south africa), you probably will not have an issue.

Wow, and he claims URM status? That would be enough to piss me right off if I were interviewing him. Being on the "good" side of apartheid isn't really the intent of URM status. But that's just my opinion - don't mean to spark a war here.

 

[GetThePointe77]

NO! Lol hes not applying to medical school!! hes a finance major! But for undergrad he wrote about growing up in South Africa/ the adjustment to the states, and then got some surprised looks/questions from interviewers (which were mostly alums I guess) he doesnt claim URM

 

[Morsetlis]

Yep, just like all the straight male roommates in NY are going to claim to be gay husbands to take advantage of domestic partner benefits.

Silly Adcoms, relying on applicants to have a shred of honesty and human decency.

Well, that's why they're applicants.

You do know that there are BAH-marriages in the military (traditionally a male soldier to a random female soldier/civilian) just to take advantage of the extra BAH money for married servicemembers, right? Humans are good at exploitation!

 

[AymAyzing]

Well, that's why they're applicants.

You do know that there are BAH-marriages in the military (traditionally a male soldier to a random female soldier/civilian) just to take advantage of the extra BAH money for married servicemembers, right? Humans are good at exploitation!

I used to see this all the time at my base. They get married young to move out the dorms too (avoid inspections, curfew etc). I also know one girl who faked being a lesbian to get released from the military with a girl from another squadron, this was in the time when DADT was still going strong. Ay carumba. Integrity first my a$s.

 

[flodhi1]

I used to see this all the time at my base. They get married young to move out the dorms too (avoid inspections, curfew etc). I also know one girl who faked being a lesbian to get released from the military with a girl from another squadron, this was in the time when DADT was still going strong. Ay carumba. Integrity first my a$s.

Military personal do it all the time, they marry their gfs to get benefits. I don't think there's anything wrong with that as long as you're marrying your loved one. However, if you're marrying random people to get more money and get the easy life then of course you have no integrity.

 

[paul411]

Haha! You don't need to bring your passport and photo of your dad to show your interviewer that you really are African-America. If it comes up, explain to your interviewer (as you did in your post) your background and self-identification as African American.

But if it makes you feel more secure/confident go ahead and bring those things... just don't pull them out unless the interviewer accuses you of deceit. Oh, and also be ready to keep a beat and rap on demand 😛

 

[ponyo]

Bring it; you'l clearly feel better (and if it's in a secure location - ie suitcoat pocket, relax).

But seriously, don't worry. Med schools aren't in the business of asking to see someone's race card (PS don't google image the term - very racist pics) at an interview. Someone may ask about your heritage but probably won't.

I died a little inside

 

[flodhi1]

Haha! You don't need to bring your passport and photo of your dad to show your interviewer that you really are African-America. If it comes up, explain to your interviewer (as you did in your post) your background and self-identification as African American.

But if it makes you feel more secure/confident go ahead and bring those things... just don't pull them out unless the interviewer accuses you of deceit. Oh, and also be ready to keep a beat and rap on demand 😛

I bust out laughing to this LOL!!!!

 

[ManBroDude]

This thread is too much. OP: the interviewer is not immigration police. They're not customs agents. They're just another person like you or I that's tasked with getting to know you better. I would walk out of the interview if they asked to see my passport, that's just ridiculous.

As paul441 said above:

If it comes up, explain to your interviewer (as you did in your post) your background and self-identification as African American.

 

[MaenadsDance]

Heh, I figure if the president can call himself African American, you're good to call yourself African American, too. 😉