Urban Medicine?

[rmadell]

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Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the Urban Medicine programs like the one at UIC? I am a Spanish major (fluent in Spanish, but not Hispanic) and really want to work in a place that has a high Hispanic population. I have some non-medical experience working in situations like these (I taught a bilingual 6th grade Theatre class in the Bronx for 2 years) as well as medically related experience (shadowed a medical translator for a semester, as well as translating myself at a free clinic that catered to a primarily hispanic population as well as 6 weeks of volunteering in a public hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina). I have just heard very vague mention of these types of programs and was wondering if anyone knew anything about them (and who has them)....I think I was also reading a post somewhere on SDN that said it might be a little easier to get into? I have a 3.55cgpa and a 3.2sgpa and am taking the MCAT at the end of March. So I'm not totally out, but I am not a super competitive applicant. Does the UIC program favor in state applicants? I am from SC. Thanks for any info you might have 🙂

 

[mybubbles14]

Hey, I applied to the urban medicine program this year. I'm not really sure about other schools that have similar programs. However, I did focus my applications at schools that are big into helping under-served populations. To my knowledge there is no preference for IS vs OOS for the program at UIC. They offer interviews for the program for accepted students in the spring. As far as "easier to get into" I'm sure nobody on here will go out and say that lol. However, you never know how applying to the program could affect your application. Identifying your interests and your previous experiences demonstrating those interests certainly wouldn't hurt your chances. I submitted both of my applications around the same time so I'm sure they were aware of my interests when I interviewed and was accepted. As far as other schools...most that I found had specific "rural" programs. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find extra-curricular clubs or groups with an urban focus to get involved with the hispanic community once you are in school though.

Good luck to you! Apply early!!! 👍
**I should make that my signature 🙄**

 

[rmadell]

Thank you so much for replying! Congrats on your acceptance!