what are my chances?

[christina87]

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I got a 24O on my MCAt w/ a GPA of around 3.6. I was born in Miami from Cuban/Argentine descent and was raised in PR. I would really like to apply to a good US Medical School, but i dont know if my scores and gpa are good enough and/or will they consider me as a minority when i am middle class.

Another question I have is if I should put in my AMCAS that I am 'socially disadvantaged', because in PR I am not, but i the US I technically am. I seriously dont know.

If anyone can help me I would really appreciate it.

 

[MilkmanAl]

You'll definitely qualify as an underrepresented minority (URM), and it sounds like you'll qualify as disadvantaged, as well, though there aren't any set criteria for the latter, as far as I'm aware. That said, a 24 on the MCAT will almost certainly keep you out of MD schools. You're probably a good to very good candidate at DO schools, however.

edit: Oh, I forgot about the PR schools. I'm not sure how they handle people who are from but live outside of PR. Even if you're not regarded as a resident, you'll probably get preferential treatment. You're likely a good candidate there also.

 

[Mobius1985]

From what I recall reading about PR med schools, your stats could get you into one of them. I agree with Milkman, that you are unlikely to get a mainland acceptance with those numbers though.

In the Under-Represented in Healthcare forum I found this quote from AAMC: "Before June 26, 2003, the AAMC used the term "underrepresented minority (URM)," which consisted of Blacks, Mexican-Americans, Native Americans (that is, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians), and mainland Puerto Ricans. The AAMC remains committed to ensuring access to medical education and medicine-related careers for individuals from these four historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups."

So, though you are hispanic, based on your parent's origins you would not be an under-represented minority. But if your parents became citizens of Puerto Rico, where you were raised, then you are Puerto Rican, and now living on the mainland, which could qualify you as URM according to the above definition.

I've heard of being considered economically disadvantaged, which you are not, if you are middle class. What makes one "socially disadvantaged"?

 

[christina87]

I've heard of being considered economically disadvantaged, which you are not, if you are middle class. What makes one "socially disadvantaged"?[/quote]

Thats part of my question. Because I dont know But Im kinda sure there aren't many 'cubans' in US Medical Schools.

As far as the PR Medical Schools, I do know I have a good shot, but I wanted to know about the US Schools. But doing a little research I now do find it highly unlikely, but thats for the feedback and advises.

 

[Greonis]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that "URM" status refers to a larger minority group in the United States for which there is a shortage (IE: a lack of representation) of doctors who belong to said group. The goal is to train physicians who can (and hopefully will) return to these groups' communities to bring them the health care that they need, hence the "advantage" that some URM's may get during the application cycle.

For this reason, some hispanic subsets (such as Mexican-Americans) are considered to be underrepresented minorities, while others (such as Cubans) are not. All are minorities in the US, but only some have reached a population level that is not properly covered (or "represented") by medical professionals.

 

[Mobius1985]

Another question I have is if I should put in my AMCAS that I am 'socially disadvantaged', because in PR I am not, but i the US I technically am.

I did a search in pre-allo and found this information about claiming disadvantaged status:

"Disadvantaged" is a box one checks on the AMCAS application. The applicant is then provided the opportunity to answer specific questions about family income, receipt of public assistance (welfare benefits, food stamps, etc), work prior to age 18, etc. The questions pertain to 0-18 years of age. There is also a section that asks how college expenses were met on a % basis (% merit scholarship, % need based aid, loans, student $, family $, etc).