White... but not white

[NonTraditional3]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Well said. Doesn't it make sense then... that URM status be decided more on a financial basis than on race?

Because classically, or historically if you prefer, people identified as belonging to certain minority groups, have been marginalized in society, leading to socioECONOMIC disadvantages that impeded access to adequate medical care, education, jobs.....poor education....less job options...start a family....can still only provide so much for your kin....can't afford to pay for better education, so your kin falls victim to this vicious cycle....the URM programs grant these individuals who have broken their socioeconomic barriers with opportunities to free themselves of this cycle through education, and bring back to their communities medical access, so that medical disparities contribute less to the vicious cycle known as "the struggle". This is the financial imperative that you are unclear about: it's called the struggle.

Puff Daddy's son is a minority. Do you think he had these kinds of problems? No. So, since these obstacles to achieve great potential were not present, should Puffy's son be granted URM "benefit" simply because he's black? The answer is no. The color of your skin, does not automatically grant this status. It is multifactorial, and since the factors in question are largely financial.....URM is denoted with much emphasis on economic standing, but not purely so. Even if you are a poor white kid, chances are you still haven't been subject to societal marginalization, despite lower economic standing.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Because classically, or historically if you prefer, people identified as belonging to certain minority groups, have been marginalized in society, leading to socioECONOMIC disadvantages that impeded access to adequate medical care, education, jobs.....poor education....less job options...start a family....can still only provide so much for your kin....can't afford to pay for better education, so your kin falls victim to this vicious cycle....the URM programs grant these individuals who have broken their socioeconomic barriers with opportunities to free themselves of this cycle through education, and bring back to their communities medical access, so that medical disparities contribute less to the vicious cycle known as "the struggle". This is the financial imperative that you are unclear about: it's called the struggle.

Puff Daddy's son is a minority. Do you think he had these kinds of problems? No. So, since these obstacles to achieve great potential were not present, should Puffy's son be granted URM "benefit" simply because he's black? The answer is no. The color of your skin, does not automatically grant this status. It is multifactorial, and since the factors in question are largely financial.....URM is denoted with much emphasis on economic standing, but not purely so. Even if you are a poor white kid, chances are you still haven't been subject to societal marginalization, despite lower economic standing.

I think you misunderstood my stance on the matter. I said "Doesn't this...", as in... I believe that financial/economic status IS what should determine URM status. Haha, so yeah I agree 100% completely with what you said. 👍

 

[NonTraditional3]

I think you misunderstood my stance on the matter. I said "Doesn't this...", as in... I believe that financial/economic status IS what should determine URM status. Haha, so yeah I agree 100% completely with what you said. 👍

Keep in mind, I was emphasizing that it be multifactorial.

1. Are you a minority that has been held back historically in american society? (ie, black, latino, native american, etc)

2. What is your financial situation? Did you have to work in college to pay for tuition and other non-living expenses? (health insurance, books....as opposed to food, apartment, cell phone, etc.) Did you take out loans for college? What kind of income did your parent(s) have when you were growing up? In your adult life? College years?

3.Have you broken the proverbial typical barriers to academic excellence that are present your community? Have you exceeded the low standard that has been imposed by the struggles in your community? Keep in mind, community does not mean neighborhood, it pertains to "the black community" or "the latin community".

 

[CpGisland]

I see people asking this all the time.
If your north african or middle eastern (Morocco to Afghanistan; also Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia) you should put down white

If your from Pakistan going east you should put Asian.

Now where you run into problems is Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). An Asian population is present in most of these countries, but for the most part (except for maybe Kyrgyzstan) you should put down white.

All in all asian will not help you get in. You really need to be an URM. What can set you apart is if you a fluent in another language.

 

[drshark]

I guess i didn't exactly make it clear in my original question, I am fluent in another language, I am used to having to translate, and that's one main reason I want to go into medicine... to serve my community and be able to speak to them in Arabic. So that's what I meant by being considered "diverse." But according to the answers I got, it doesn't add an edge.

 

[ElleWoodsMD]

Well said. Doesn't it make sense then... that URM status be decided more on a financial basis than on race?

And let poor white people avoid their ancestors' negative karma?

Kidding!

But seriously, I haven't thought about it that much. I see the merit in adding socioeconomic status as a consideration in admissions decisions, but don't think it would be a good idea.

 

[ElleWoodsMD]

Puff Daddy

You know he's had two other names since calling himself Puff Daddy, right?

 

[NonTraditional3]

You know he's had two other names since calling himself Puff Daddy, right?

Yeah, this was the important part of my post, obviously.

 

[HOPINGTOBE]

You're one of those people. I hate your type. The term "underrepresented" refers a group's representation in and access to different institutions, not necessarily how many of a particular group there are.

There is no doubt that in today's society there are alot of people that want to use the URM to get ahead and get special perks--- so do not even think that this is not the case. Unless you are an URM and plan to serve those areas in your medical career you are one of "those". I think it is great to have an URM who actually wants and will practice in those areas. I just think that Medical School Admissions should be based on credentials all around with maybe special attention to those who really and truly will practice in those other areas. Your hating me is just indicative of the fact that you want to use this term to get ahead. Why not break classifications down to ethnic groups then also? I am sure many more would be UNDERREPRESENTED.

 

[Gamechanger]

ok so for my app I had to put white, there is no option for us of middle eastern background. My PS mentions my background (also being 1st generation) and i'm wondering if it will give me a unique edge, or will I still be looked at as white? Wish they had a separate box for us, but they don't and I feel like I should be considered a minority? but i'm not 😳

come on dude. do you really want in that way? Have some self-respect.

 

[dntke1518]

come on dude. do you really want in that way? Have some self-respect.

Exactly... Missing the point of URM status, its not because of minority status yet due to the social economic hardships that URM might encounter and be able to later serve.

 

[ElleWoodsMD]

Yeah, this was the important part of my post, obviously.

You might want to get a sense of humor at some point.

 

[drshark]

come on dude. do you really want in that way? Have some self-respect.

Maybe you should read my most recent post "dude"

 

[411309]

The whole race thing is super funny when you think about it. Ill bet middle eastern people get discriminated against 400 times more than black people in america. The doctor I shadowed has the same last name as a famous terrorist and frequently has to fly between states. It's hell for him, lol. The whole race debate and race issues are all so backwards and funny.

I encourage anyone that thinks they're even remotely urm to go for it anyways since the system is stupid and the worst that can happen is you plead ignorance, which works in a lot of cases. I'll bet a ton of people that arent "technically urm" put it down anyways and still squeak by. It's the same way as science gpa. i could give some funny examples of how they calculated my science gpa and how aacomas told me to put whatever i wanted basically and if they dont like it they take it out, lol.