Should you apply to Howard or Meharry if...

[rockgrl]

Should you apply to Howard or Meharry if you are Asian? Looking at the website, it says minorities are given preference. I am confused.

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[ToothPrincess]

I am so sick of posts like these!!! I just get so frustrated!! Both schools are HBCUs (historically black college or university)the missions are to educate black doctors, students, ect. With that being said (I can't speak fully about Meharry although I know someone else can correct me if I am wrong)Howard's mission is to primarily serve the inner city community. Howard University accepts and educates all students of all races who want to work in their community and serve inner city communities. If you are white, black, Asian, Persian, or Hispanic and you don't want to serve the community, but you want to use them as a "backup school," you WILL get rejected!!! No matter what your race may be... If you are a person who loves serving inner city communities (which you WILL do because there is a community service requirement and you won't graduate if you don't fulfill this requirement) and you have scores all above 17s (that's the cut off not the average) you will be accepted. These schools aren't racist they, like every other school want to accept people who align with their mission. If you go to a research oriented school and you hate research you won't be accepted! Just look at all of the schools that you apply to and their missions and see if you and the school mix well, no matter what your race, religion, or whatever is.

Sorry for my rant... This post was just my breaking point. I see people who say don't bother applying if you aren't white... Not true. (I know you are Asian)

 

[ToothPrincess]

I meant are white... Sorry y'all I'm on my blackberry... Will edit soon!

 

[Dentalishus]

I agree with ToothPrincess. Every other week another "Howard/Meharry" thread pops up. If what you want out of dental school aligns with the school's mission and what the school is about then apply. If not, then look elsewhere. Simple! There are a million and one posts on this subject. For goodness sake do a search... Puleeezzzeee!!!
😴

 

[jigabodo]

Should you apply to Howard or Meharry if you are Asian? Looking at the website, it says minorities are given preference. I am confused.

Just look at how many asians they accept per year. I think Howard accepts around 10% or so asians into their class but Meharry accepts very, very few.

Also, both Howard and Meharry give preferences to "under represented minorities" and I dont think asians fall under that category.

 

[sillygoose47]

Asian are not consider "underrepresented minorities" in any science field, including medical professions.

 

[ToothPrincess]

They accept more than ten percent Asian... Many Asian people choose to go to other schools when they get accepted to other places...

 

[:) hi!]

They accept more than ten percent Asian... Many Asian people choose to go to other schools when they get accepted to other places...

Totally agree!

 

[Macbook1911]

What baffles me is the fact that we continue to throw out these random stats, or even empty assumptions about Howard/Meharry. Rule #1 We don't live in a world where only caucasians or asians go to dental school. We don't live in a world that only makes black dentist either. Realize now that the world of dentistry is comprehensive and international. If I am the dentist, just because my patient is of another race doesn't mean I want or shouldn't treat them. I am more concerned with oral health and my oath as a future dentist. The fantasy that you all assume that a school in AMERICA is going to be only one race representing them, is ludicrous. Your greatest fear should to be a BAD DENTIST!!! Worry more about the training that you are going to receive, and like others have said, if the school meets your own PERSONAL MISSION. Race SHOULD BE tertiary when it comes to access to healthcare and what a good dentist should be! Remember... don't assume because it is black that it is whack. Those schools have a long long long history of service to dentistry and to this country. If you ever meet a black dentist, there is a 75 percent chance they were educated there. That means they are certified by ADA!!!!!

 

[qwerty86]

You can put as much spin as you want on this whole topic. But the bottom line - They both are historically black schools and prefer and stay that way.

I actually talked about this with my pre-dent counselor because I applied there as my back up schools. She said that the race factor is never openly mentioned, its underlined in fine prints (figuratively speaking). I totally agree with her. It is plain and simple and I dont feel anything is wrong with that. I just like to be realistic about it.

 

[Sephisabin]

My friend is asian, and she is going to be a second year there. I'm Indian and I was offered an interview. Long story short, you do have a chance there even if you are asian.

 

[Macbook1911]

So the fact that UPENN or UMichigan are like 80% caucasian should detour and African American from applying? Just because a school is majority caucasian or majority african american does not mean that they don't want diversity. Sounds like you have a problem with minorites or maybe you feel intimidated by their potential. Your error in this discussion is that you attempt to tell others in this group that it is a waste of time applying of Howard/Meharrry. If you look at the stats at both, they fall below 70 percent African American and roughly 30% collective others. Sounds like your problem should be with the fact that you think Dentistry is only for caucasian! My question is how do you plan to address that while practicing dentistry, qwerty86! I would caution you to advice people with the uttermost respect. Your situation may be different from theirs. Howard/Meharry are not a WASTE but a risk of getting a "yes or no or maybe" just like any other school!

 

[IDoWhatIWant]

Asian are not consider "underrepresented minorities" in any science field, including medical professions.

Sucks being Asian. We always get the short end of the stick. No pun intended. 😀

 

[qwerty86]

So the fact that UPENN or UMichigan are like 80% caucasian should detour and African American from applying? Just because a school is majority caucasian or majority african american does not mean that they don't want diversity. Sounds like you have a problem with minorites or maybe you feel intimidated by their potential. Your error in this discussion is that you attempt to tell others in this group that it is a waste of time applying of Howard/Meharrry. If you look at the stats at both, they fall below 70 percent African American and roughly 30% collective others. Sounds like your problem should be with the fact that you think Dentistry is only for caucasian! My question is how do you plan to address that while practicing dentistry, qwerty86! I would caution you to advice people with the uttermost respect. Your situation may be different from theirs. Howard/Meharry are not a WASTE but a risk of getting a "yes or no or maybe" just like any other school!

Ofcourse I dont have problem with minority. I am one!!
I am saying having 70% of class being Minority in a country where minorities make up 30% (15-20% african-american) shows schools prefer minorities.
When you look at demographics of any school, please compare it with demographics of the country or atleast the region.
Yes some/most schools have majority Caucasians, but they make up most of this country!!!!
Howard and Meharry are great schools, no doubt. But in this situation demographics should be kept in mind. 👍

 

[Bruinlove]

It may not be a bad idea to apply to Howard even if you are not URM.

From ADEA official guide 2007,

31 out of 90 (about 34%) are not URM. 21 Asians, 10 Caucasians

But if you take a look at Meharry...
8 out of 62 (about 13% ) are not URM. 5 Asians, 3 Caucasians

 

[Macbook1911]

Oh I get it!!!! So, it is acceptable for a school to be majority caucasian, but not for a school to be majority African American? Wow... if that is your mindset as a MINORITY as you said, then where does that leave you? Whatever minority group you belong to, does that mean you could never become a dentist for that factor? I don't personally have an issue with either type of school. They both have different purposes and missions. One school may be more about RESEARCH DENTISTRY the other type may be SERVICE TO UNDERSERVED. My issue is that you subtly suggest on this open forum that majority African American schools are wrong or racially discriminate. Out of the application pools at either school, how many are African American, Asian (you must define what country), Caucasian, etc.? If you look at those number you will see that very few apply because of the SAME assumption you suggest.. "that these are fallback schools and only black people go there..."., Qwerty86. Even if you are a minority, which doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, it does not authorize you to tell people... "They both are historically black schools and prefer and stay that way..." when it relates to Howard and Meharry. Would you say then that UPENN or any other majority caucasian school has the same perception. I caution you not to use this forum in that regard. Don't mislead or inappropriately disqualify the aims and purposes of an institution. Historically, YES many African Americans have drawn to those institution because of what they have stood for in that community of people. But don't say they PREFER for it to stay that way. That is a very dangerous assumption and quite honestly is not the mission of either school. I would never say that having been accepted to majority caucasian schools, WHICH WHO CARES ANY WAY... I WANT TO BE A GOOD DENTIST..., that they didn't want me there because I'm not white enough or black enough or BLACKS DON'T APPLY TO THAT SCHOOL!!!! Be careful how you label things.

And I hope I don't come across as argumentative! I am just debating for clarity and understanding. Not only for myself but for other students that are here for advice. We just have to make certain that our experiences on this journey of dentistry doesn't dictate how others go through their process of getting there. I am in no way suggesting that you are 'Racist' or anything of such.. This is simply dialogue! Hey, I want us all to be good dentist, Qwerty86. Enjoy your day! Now LETS BATTLE!!!! LOL

 

[Macbook1911]

Oh and for IDoWHatIWant... I was gonna add to my dialogue that the challenge of getting in ANYWHERE is the obstacle that we all must overcome. We should not limit ourselves to one school. Everybody can't go to UCSF and everybody can't go to HOWARD... We all had to do the same AADSAS, application, interview, etc. It is a random selection of hope that we really don't know how it turns out! Keep that in mind and not the fact that you being Asian is a bad thing or that you are the only group 'catching the short end of the stick..' Trust me, we all do sometime!

 

[qwerty86]

Macbook - I am going to repeat what I said before and you can spin this whole issue as much as you want. First, I really don't care if Howard, Meharry are majority black schools and people apply there cause they have the low avgs. I don't find anything wrong with having majority Asian, Caucasian or even black school....I care less.

No reason to get offended and argumentative.
http://www.aetna.com/diversity/aahcalendar/2004/history.html

Please read the article above, like they said - in past decades there were very few black dentists in community and their GOAL is to change that.

 

[PCrooks]

Have any of you ever visited Howard University? Not just the dental school. Howard is a very proud HBCU (historically black colleges and universities). Meaning that black applicants will most likely get preference over others. Of course race is never mentioned out in the open but the proof is in the pudding. The student body, faculty, admission board, president, office workers, the math and science middle school, trustees, cheerleaders, atheletes, and alum, are about 88%-90% black. Check the website or google different events on campus via youtube (ie. Howard Homecoming). See, for yourself. How many others do you actually see? Yes, Howard do accept and have people of all backgrounds at our institution but let's not fool ourselves. The university has a strong commitment to the black community and everyone else second. You might not like how that sound but it's the truth. Visit the campus and try and convince the world otherwise.

 

[KinKs]

Hey PCrooks, I see you are still at it, man I am tired of these threads, I think I am gonna lie low