tons of ethnicity threads - but one specific question

[SamSt1]

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Hi.

I have a specific question and I am hoping that someone who is native american or has concrete knowledge about my question can give me some information. No need for speculation or guesses, thank you.

My grandfather is 3/4 Seminole Indian. My grandmother is irish and my mothers side of the family is german. Therefore I am a bit over 1/8th seminole. This has been a large part of my upbringing, as my family and I have volunteered on seminole reservations throughout my childhood, and my grandfather has taken great pride in our history and culture. I am very well educated in the native american culture and I even have volunteered with a local native american educational society for quite some time, educating others on the culture, dance and spirit of the Native American tradition.

My question is: since a Cherokee can get a Tribal card being 1/32 cherokee, but a Seminole can only get a tribal card if they are 1/4, does this mean I can't check the box for native american when I apply to medical school? It has been a huge part of my life, my upbringing, and I have even had first hand experience in how health care is run on a reservation.

For those Native Americans, do you have to present a tribal card at an interview? I have the census that proclaims my grandfathers affiliation with the seminoles, but I do not myself, hold a tribal card.

Any positive/informative input would be appreciated.

Sam

 

[frikarika]

Well, from what I remember when you check native american under ethnicity in AMCAS...it asks for your tribal affiliation number or something to that effect. So I think you actually need some kind of tribal card. But I'm hispanic, so I didn't apply as native american, I only remember checking the box to see what happened (I have south american native blood), and I recall it asking for verification of some kind. Hope that helps.

 

[1956Goldtop]

You could also write about your committment to the Native American underserved in your PS, which would probably be a lot more helpful than just listing it on your AMCAS.

 

[[pj]]

You could also write about your committment to the Native American underserved in your PS, which would probably be a lot more helpful than just listing it on your AMCAS.

Even if you can't necessarily check a little box, there are many ways to show your upbringing/dedication/etc. So even if you find out you can't, just know there are other things you can do.

 

[LizzyM]

I'm pretty sure that it is self-identification only. In the past year, I have seen tribe listed on the AMCAS but I don't know if that is just a pull-down menu or whatever. I've never heard that my school asks to see a tribal card or other ID specific to one's racial/ethnic identification.

In any case, you should include any Seminole-related activities you've done since HS graduation on the list of "experiences" on the AMCAS and describe in the text box how this is part of your heritage and an important part of your life. If you see yourself serving that community as a physician you might want to work that into your personal statement.

 

[frubeak]

I don't believe AMCAS asks for any proof. If you'd like more info, I'd contact the University of Washington's diversity outreach center. I actually believe they have someone specifically there for Native Americans (I heard her give a presentation once). Also, they are very interested in recruiting Native Americans.

 

[SamSt1]

I'm pretty sure that it is self-identification only. In the past year, I have seen tribe listed on the AMCAS but I don't know if that is just a pull-down menu or whatever. I've never heard that my school asks to see a tribal card or other ID specific to one's racial/ethnic identification.

In any case, you should include any Seminole-related activities you've done since HS graduation on the list of "experiences" on the AMCAS and describe in the text box how this is part of your heritage and an important part of your life. If you see yourself serving that community as a physician you might want to work that into your personal statement.

thank you for everyones advice. I am very dedicated to this population and my grandfather has been a huge part of that. When I was younger we would go to the reservations during food drives/clothing drives and as I got older and entered college I became more involved in more of the health care related aspects in the Seminole population. I've been to "health fairs" for different tribes (not only my own) and helped educating others on the specific health issues that effect a large population of native americans. It's not that I am looking for a handout by checking that box on my application, even though I may/may not need it (3.65 overall, 3.78 bcpm, and 34 mcat), but I just wanted to see if I could check a box of a part of my heritage that has been a huge part of my upbringing.

 

[SamSt1]

I am sorry. I believe I posted this in the wrong forum. I should have posted this in underrepresented in heathcare.


sorry!