Test bank exclusively for minority students? WTF?

[amakhosidlo]

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I was talking to a friend the other day and he was going on about how much better his grades would be if he was a minority or from a disadvantaged background. I was sort of incredulous, but then he told me about a resource our public, state-funded school provides that's available only to students of these backgrounds.

Apparently there's a full test bank, replete with old exams and old homework assignments (pretty useful, since many profs recycle their questions), that's reserved exclusively for minority students. It's kept under electronic lock-and-key, such that students scan their ID cards, the system pulls up files from their specific classes, and releases only that material (Presumably to prevent dissemination to other, non-minority students).

Has anybody else heard of something like this? Am I completely crazy for being outraged that students are basically getting tests before they're administered?

I was a little bothered by the fact that there are so many minority-exclusive "enrichment programs", but sort of passed them off as necessary recruitment efforts. This, however, seems to cross the line and I have a hard time seeing how it passes educational/ethical/legal scrutiny...

 

[ChubbyChaser]

I find it hard to believe this..I would have to see some proof.

 

[Lukkie]

i think we have a similar thing here at UCLA... its called AAP. but it was open to anyone that was 'disadvantaged'. my chinese roommate, for instance was eligible. he got access to old exams from that professor,free books, etc.

but at the end of the day OP stop whining. most people still get solid GPAs without such assistance. stop making excuses and study hard like everyone does regardless if they get special help or not.

 

[flaahless]

I was talking to a friend the other day and he was going on about how much better his grades would be if he was a minority or from a disadvantaged background. I was sort of incredulous, but then he told me about a resource our public, state-funded school provides that's available only to students of these backgrounds.

Apparently there's a full test bank, replete with old exams and old homework assignments (pretty useful, since many profs recycle their questions), that's reserved exclusively for minority students. It's kept under electronic lock-and-key, such that students scan their ID cards, the system pulls up files from their specific classes, and releases only that material (Presumably to prevent dissemination to other, non-minority students).

Has anybody else heard of something like this? Am I completely crazy for being outraged that students are basically getting tests before they're administered?

I was a little bothered by the fact that there are so many minority-exclusive "enrichment programs", but sort of passed them off as necessary recruitment efforts. This, however, seems to cross the line and I have a hard time seeing how it passes educational/ethical/legal scrutiny...

Ehh... this sounds like premed neuroticism to me. I've never heard of anything like this, but I'm sure there are services like this set up for students that have historically faced challenges in the academic setting. To me this doesn't sound any different than the athlete, frat guy, legacy student, hot chick or average joe that got their hands on old tests, or had the heads up on who the easy ochem profs were etc.

 

[DrYoda]

Ehh... this sounds like premed neuroticism to me. I've never heard of anything like this, but I'm sure there are services like this set up for students that have historically faced challenges in the academic setting. To me this doesn't sound any different than the athlete, frat guy, legacy student, hot chick or average joe that got their hands on old tests, or had the heads up on who the easy ochem profs were etc.

Agree with the above. You could get access to described material by wandering into any given frat house and asking.

Edit: and having an old test=/= to having access to the test ahead of time.

 

[rocketbooster]

Agree with the above. You could get access to described material by wandering into any given frat house and asking.

Edit: and having an old test=/= to having access to the test ahead of time.

yep, every frat and sorority have backlogs like that. go join a frat or sorority and stop whining. or go hook up with a sorority girl to get access to her files. 👍

 

[135892]

yep, every frat and sorority have backlogs like that. go join a frat or sorority and stop whining. or go hook up with a sorority girl to get access to her files. 👍

Doesn't mean that the school should be sponsoring this sort of practice

 

[chessknt]

This forum fully supports illegal usage of Ritalin and copyrighted materials in order to "succeed." It is only your fault if you chose not to participate in these activities to stay on even footing.

 

[Medicalhopeful]

I am a minority and I haven't even heard of such a thing. I don't even get FAFSA even though my families annual income is $24,000, as far as I see it I don't have any advantages.

 

[AggieSean]

Someone brings up a legitimate concern about what would obviously be an unfair situation and he's told to "stop whining." I doubt OP would meet such a harsh reception if the tables were turned. SDN, where (as someone has already said) abusing Ritalin and stealing copyrighted material is acceptable, but concern about discrimination isn't. 👍

 

[hermit]

My undergrad university's law school had minority student only reviews for its students. Whether or not you've heard about it, this kind of thing is out there. Get used to it.

 

[Raryn]

My undergrad has an office for minority and "disadvantaged" students interested in the health professions that kept a test bank like this only for people that were eligible to join. One of the bio professors found out and had a fit, though I don't know if they ever stopped doing that...

As for SDN condoning abusing prescription medications or other illegal practices, thats total bull****. I've seen so many of the threads regarding that, and while there are people on both sides, those saying illegal abuse of medication is OK are in the definite minority.

 

[Superman78]

If anything it's insulting to minorities (except Asians, a minority who get no special treatment). All Affirmative Action programs should be based solely on income, otherwise you are essentially saying that certain races are genetically smarter than others, and a rich black kid needs more help than a poor white kid. AA is racist as it is.

 

[AbRKnight]

Someone brings up a legitimate concern about what would obviously be an unfair situation and he's told to "stop whining." I doubt OP would meet such a harsh reception if the tables were turned. SDN, where (as someone has already said) abusing Ritalin and stealing copyrighted material is acceptable, but concern about discrimination isn't. 👍

2nd this post. Someone else said these "libraries" equal a fraternity or sorority, which is a fallacy. Fraternities and sororities ARE open to everyone. If you want, you can access them. The only way it would = fraternity is if the frats were only open to a certain race of people, and I am pretty sure that would not be OK.

 

[flaahless]

You know what...

None of us have any idea how, why or when these alleged programs were created. They could be from private funds, they could have been formed in response to particular campus groups that demanded this sort of material, they could have been formed by state or federal funds in response to decreased retention and grad rates of historically disadvantaged groups, so we should probably critically analyze the info first.

There are TONS of supplemental resources available for ALL students, probably more than any of us have the time to utilize, and I am confident that if you want this material, you can get it.

Honestly, these programs are NOT keeping any of YOU down. I couldn't give a damn if you had access to an old test, that's not going to have ANY impact on MY performance whatsoever.

Also, I'd be wary that "hearsay" threads can be inciting during march madness.

Sorry for the original post. It was too harsh and my direct apologies to the OP for stirring his/her thread up. My bad, for real, that was cold...

but Pitt really did just ruin my entire bracket, I had Duke winning too. AND Memphis... painful

 

[Lukkie]

None of us have any idea how, why or when these alleged programs were created.

Flaahless hit a very key point here. next time any of you kids criticize ANYTHING... ask yourself whether you really know why that thing exists.

 

[AbRKnight]

Don't post this ridiculous material here and solicit information from other uninformed, ignorant, naive and insecure premeds who will then distort this information and perpetuate it as truth because they are naive to the way REAL life works and too damn socially awkward to discuss these issues with a knowledgeable person in the real world.

I didn't know you knew everyone who gave a response so well, and all from one reponse on a forum. That being said, perhaps you can explain to the rest of us how real life actually works...

 

[amakhosidlo]

but at the end of the day OP stop whining.

Honestly, what wouldn't you consider whining? When I pay a visit to this place, and get turned away based explicitly on my ethnic background, I suppose I should just stop crying, forget about the 14th amendment (it doesn't apply to Asians and whites anyway, right?) and study harder...

most people still get solid GPAs without such assistance. stop making excuses and study hard like everyone does regardless if they get special help or not.

Obviously, but those WITH such assistance will get HIGHER solid GPA's AND they'll be URM.

Oh, and mind pointing out the excuses I made?

 

[mmmcdowe]

I am a minority and I haven't even heard of such a thing. I don't even get FAFSA even though my families annual income is $24,000, as far as I see it I don't have any advantages.

That's because it doesn't show up at your door, you have to go fill it out.

 

[amakhosidlo]

Flaahless hit a very key point here. next time any of you kids criticize ANYTHING... ask yourself whether you really know why that thing exists.

http://depts.washington.edu/ic/graphics/hours.php?style=graphics


"The Instructional center provides academic support for EOP students"

 

[AggieSean]

You know what...

These threads are absolutely ridiculous. None of us have any idea how, why or when these alleged programs were created. They could be from private funds, they could have been formed in response to particular campus groups that demanded this sort of material, they could have been formed by state or federal funds in response to decreased retention and grad rates of historically disadvantaged groups, but yall are so damn naive, so neurotic and insecure that within 20 posts this already has the makings of an AA thread.

There are TONS of supplemental resources available for ALL students, probably more than any of us have the time to utilize, and I am confident that if you want this material, you can get it.

The original post is also just HEARSAY. Nothing more than a rumor that will inevitably spark an AA thread. Come on yall, grow up.

OP, if you REALLY want clarification on this issue, ask your school faculty. Don't post this ridiculous material here and solicit information from other uninformed, ignorant, naive and insecure premeds who will then distort this information and perpetuate it as truth because they are naive to the way REAL life works and too damn socially awkward to discuss these issues with a knowledgeable person in the real world.

Honestly, these programs are NOT keeping any of YOU down. I couldn't give a damn if you had access to an old test, that's not going to have ANY impact on MY performance whatsoever. Grow up, stand on your own two feet and quit looking for excuses for your own inadequacy.

PS. Superman78, the poor white kid would qualify as disadvantaged and would receive the resources the OP was talking about. Put the race card down. Please.

Sorry if that was kinda harsh... Pitt just lost and ruined my entire bracket.

Wow. Harshin' the thread mellow. For crying out loud, give the guy a break. Forgive someone for not displaying the expert amount of control over their emotions that you stunningly possess. I mean, getting mad because certain resources are denied him due to his skin color, what is he thinking? 🙄

 

[LateBl00meR]

So some students are handed a college acceptance because of their disadvantaged status, given competitive gpa's becuase of this status, and later awarded preferencial acceptance over other students to medical school becuase of this "disadvantage"

When does it stop? It seems like it all equals incompetent physicians

 

[Lukkie]

Honestly, what wouldn't you consider whining? When I pay a visit to this place, and get turned away based explicitly on my ethnic background, I suppose I should just stop crying, forget about the 14th amendment (it doesn't apply to Asians and whites anyway, right?) and study harder...

well as everyone expected this thread is already going in the usual URM-bash direction and will be rightfully locked soon, so here is your answer:

 

[Lokhtar]

Well, unless they get a cheat sheet to the USMLE, I don't think your statement is true.


In any case, I've never heard of such a thing, at least at my university.

 

[amakhosidlo]

So some students are handed a college acceptance because of their disadvantaged status, given competitive gpa's becuase of this status, and later awarded preferencial acceptance over other students to medical school becuase of this "disadvantage"

When does it stop? It seems like it all equals incompetent physicians

I....think that's taking it a little far.

Anyway. I'm paying a visit to this place come Monday, see if I get chased out with torches and pitchforks...

 

[flaahless]

Wow. Harshin' the thread mellow. For crying out loud, give the guy a break. Forgive someone for not displaying the expert amount of control over their emotions that you stunningly possess. I mean, getting mad because certain resources are denied him due to his skin color, what is he thinking? 🙄

yeah that was harsh...

Anyways, I don't think the OP said the stuff was denied to him. Just that it was readily available for others. I mean honestly. Old tests? Really? I could get old tests for any of yall here and I don't even go to your school.

Also, schools have ALL sorts of supplemental resources to enhance your education. Tutoring, course guides, TAs, etc, which probably could get you access to this type of material.

My point was, you should probably start by going to office hours first, and complaining second. Some of yall probably already have old tests.

 

[MsKrispyKreme]

When I pay a visit to this place, and get turned away based explicitly on my ethnic background, I suppose I should just stop crying...

Wow. Really? You're going to get turned down based on your ethnic background?

I'm thinking your rejections will have more do to with your low GPA and community college credits....

 

[amakhosidlo]

Wow. Really? You're going to get turned down based on your ethnic background?

I'm thinking your rejections will have more do to with your low GPA and community college credits....

Really? Did you bother to read the rest of that, or any post on this thread?
And yes, actually. That was part of my friend's gripe. He's a first gen. college student, but happens to be from Taiwan. They turned him away (Rather rudely too, apparently)

And thanks for immediately impugning academic credentials the second someone raises this sort of gripe on the basis of principle.

Maturity FTW...

 

[Phoenixwillrise]

Ok, I deal with this alot being a minority student and let me tell you I DO NOT get adavantages by being a minority. I personally went to UCLA for undergrad and for all of you who say that minorities have an advantage I really believe you should look and see what is really going on. In my class of 4,000 only about 1000 were considered "minority" by all definitions that you can name. What is that like 40%? It gets even worse when you break it down by ethnicity. In my group there were only 100 students in my class. It just seemed odd that out of 4,000 I could point out in a crowd everyone who looked like me. So tell me how are we getting an advantage? I have to prove myself in every class everyday. Literally, professors would not take me seriously until I started getting the top grades in class. In my experience, not only did I have to excel but I had to excel above everyone else to get the same shot. To get in to school I had to be the best, grades, letters of rec, awards, whatever. So if a student has a past exam what does that matter when they usually are working twice as hard just to get their foot in door? Mind you when I was at UCLA there were plenty of nonminority students who had exams and none of them were passed my way so should I be complaining that they had an unfair advantage too? The world we live in is not equal everyone has an advantage or disadvantage. Lets keep it real, live to your potential, work hard, and be honest to yourself thats all we can really do. Honestly, I find it insulting that we even have to talk about this but it just proves my point.

P.S. I might have interpreted this wrong and I hope I did but in my experience I have yet to meet a minority physician who is incompetent because they have supposedly received advantages to get into medical school. Mind you, I have met quite a few who supposedly didn't get "advantages" who are dumb as rocks and sitting in medical school but I guess its ok because its only the minorities who are preferentially treated right?

Man, I feel like im in the freakin' twilight zone. Oh wait nope its real life🙁

 

[mmmcdowe]

I guess if your University is curved so that there are a maximum number of A's, B's, etc, then I can understand your point. Otherwise, it isn't keeping you from a 4.0 unless you think that one or two elevated grades is somehow keeping the prof from dropping his letter grade cut offs.

 

[MsKrispyKreme]

And thanks for immediately impugning academic credentials the second someone raises this sort of gripe on the basis of principle.

Maturity FTW...

You're welcome. 🙂

 

[redlight]

yikes.. this thread is getting pretty...

and btw:
"At the time of acceptance of admission to the UW, the Office of Admissions identifies and refers eligible students to the EOP program. Criteria for eligibility are family income and resources, level of parental education, and social or environmental barriers, all of which may have impacted students' academic experiences. A team of multi-ethnic EOP advisers provides academic advising, career counseling, and advice on financial aid, housing, and personal issues. New and continuing students may also apply to become EOP "affiliates" by documenting educational, economic, or social barriers that have affected their academic performance or success. Affiliates are eligible for all EOP services."

 

[ChubbyChaser]

1000 minorities out of a 4000 person class is not 40% btw.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Ok, I deal with this alot being a minority student and let me tell you I DO NOT get adavantages by being a minority. I personally went to UCLA for undergrad and for all of you who say that minorities have an advantage I really believe you should look and see what is really going on. In my class of 4,000 only about 1000 were considered "minority" by all definitions that you can name. What is that like 40%? It gets even worse when you break it down by ethnicity. In my group there were only 100 students in my class. It just seemed odd that out of 4,000 I could point out in a crowd everyone who looked like me. So tell me how are we getting an advantage? I have to prove myself in every class everyday. Literally, professors would not take me seriously until I started getting the top grades in class. In my experience, not only did I have to excel but I had to excel above everyone else to get the same shot. To get in to school I had to be the best, grades, letters of rec, awards, whatever. So if a student has a past exam what does that matter when they usually are working twice as hard just to get their foot in door? Mind you when I was at UCLA there were plenty of nonminority students who had exams and none of them were passed my way so should I be complaining that they had an unfair advantage too? The world we live in is not equal everyone has an advantage or disadvantage. Lets keep it real, live to your potential, work hard, and be honest to yourself thats all we can really do. Honestly, I find it insulting that we even have to talk about this but it just proves my point.

P.S. I might have interpreted this wrong and I hope I did but in my experience I have yet to meet a minority physician who is incompetent because they have supposedly received advantages to get into medical school. Mind you, I have met quite a few who supposedly didn't get "advantages" who are dumb as rocks and sitting in medical school but I guess its ok because its only the minorities who are preferentially treated right?

Man, I feel like im in the freakin' twilight zone. Oh wait nope its real life🙁

25% last time I checked.

Top grades FTW!

 

[flaahless]

25% last time I checked.

Top grades FTW!

Hahahaha damn! 👍

 

[Phoenixwillrise]

Fair enough. Thinking about 12 things at once and working on a Pharmacology problem too. Ya thats pretty special on my part, put the wrong number in the wrong box. lol , i'll take the hit. Thanks for letting me know though 🙂 Newho, its 25%, easy as pie.

 

[Phoenixwillrise]

Oops thanks for alllllll of you letting me know. Sorry a girl can't make a mistake. That's what I get for posting.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Oops thanks for alllllll of you letting me know. Sorry a girl can't make a mistake. That's what I get for posting.

Now prepare for all the desperate messages from pre-med boys, because that's what you get for posting your gender.






Oh, btw you want to hang out some time?

 

[Phoenixwillrise]

Well for those who call me out on my mess* (please put proper word that I would like to use but can't) I would love to. 😀

Now prepare for all the desperate messages from pre-med boys, because that's what you get for posting your gender.






Oh, btw you want to hang out some time?

 

[redlight]

Now prepare for all the desperate messages from pre-med boys, because that's what you get for posting your gender.






Oh, btw you want to hang out some time?

😕

 

[redlight]

😕

😕😕

 

[Phoenixwillrise]

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.

 

[redlight]

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.

lol

 

[Phoenixwillrise]

Hey!!! Don't laugh at me. I messed up when I was trying to reply. 🙂

 

[binko]

All of my profs give everyone the old exams.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

I was talking to a friend the other day and he was going on about how much better his grades would be if he was a minority or from a disadvantaged background. I was sort of incredulous, but then he told me about a resource our public, state-funded school provides that's available only to students of these backgrounds.

Apparently there's a full test bank, replete with old exams and old homework assignments (pretty useful, since many profs recycle their questions), that's reserved exclusively for minority students. It's kept under electronic lock-and-key, such that students scan their ID cards, the system pulls up files from their specific classes, and releases only that material (Presumably to prevent dissemination to other, non-minority students).

Has anybody else heard of something like this? Am I completely crazy for being outraged that students are basically getting tests before they're administered?

I was a little bothered by the fact that there are so many minority-exclusive "enrichment programs", but sort of passed them off as necessary recruitment efforts. This, however, seems to cross the line and I have a hard time seeing how it passes educational/ethical/legal scrutiny...

OP, I know what' you're talking about. I actually know some people in that program. It's tough to get into, you have to be a certain ethnicity (vietnamese/hispanic/black/etc.) and be the first of your family to go to college. The test banks and tutoring that is offered there is amazing. Tutoring is not that hard to get into, I'm not part of the program, but if you go there and ask for help, they will not turn you down (though based on the rules, they shouldn't do this). However, getting tests, this is where the gold is at. You need that card, and only members have access to the test bank. I got my hand on a few of them for third quarter ochem and second quarter gen chem. They helped a lot. In fact, one of the midterms given was exactly like the practice test being handed out. I guess all you can do is make friends with people in there and hope they share the goods. 🙂

 

[littlealex]

I agree with the sentiment that these things should be based on income. Plenty of poor white/asian kids running around disadvantaged. Blacks/hispanics don't have a monopoly on poverty.
With that said, worry about your own actions. Sure there are kids out there with access to test banks, but also realize that they may not be as college-ready as you are. Sometimes it's necessary to offer people help in order to try to equalize drastically different primary education standards.

Look to the kids getting A's without any help and stop getting your panties in a bunch over what others have or do not have.

 

[guestdoc]

Hmmm. Not sure what to think about this. Flip it the other way and it'd be an outrage. Sad this is even an issue. Hearsay, their-say, though.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

If anything it's insulting to minorities (except Asians, a minority who get no special treatment). All Affirmative Action programs should be based solely on income, otherwise you are essentially saying that certain races are genetically smarter than others, and a rich black kid needs more help than a poor white kid. AA is racist as it is.

At UW, Vietnamese tend to get the nod as minority since a lot of them are first generation college students.

Funny thing about the income. One of my friends actually got into the program the OP is talking about. The thing is, she is Chinese and her parents probably make greater than 200k combined. There are always holes in the system. If the OP is really adamant about getting those tests, then I'd say try and apply every quarter. You never know what will happen.

 

[scarletgirl777]

I was talking to a friend the other day and he was going on about how much better his grades would be if he was a minority or from a disadvantaged background. I was sort of incredulous, but then he told me about a resource our public, state-funded school provides that's available only to students of these backgrounds.

Apparently there's a full test bank, replete with old exams and old homework assignments (pretty useful, since many profs recycle their questions), that's reserved exclusively for minority students. It's kept under electronic lock-and-key, such that students scan their ID cards, the system pulls up files from their specific classes, and releases only that material (Presumably to prevent dissemination to other, non-minority students).

Has anybody else heard of something like this? Am I completely crazy for being outraged that students are basically getting tests before they're administered?

I was a little bothered by the fact that there are so many minority-exclusive "enrichment programs", but sort of passed them off as necessary recruitment efforts. This, however, seems to cross the line and I have a hard time seeing how it passes educational/ethical/legal scrutiny...

I've heard of minority student groups (asian and black) doing this kind of thing. Seriously, it doesn't take any effort to do this, just get your premed group or some other group on the bandwagon and have everyone submit their stuff. I'm a little incredulous that the administration would do this and then only allow certain people to access it.