Would this qualify as URM?

[Riad20]

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I apologize if this has been answered elsewhere, I have 2 things that I think may make me URM, but am not sure.

1. Growing up in a very rural community, below poverty line. However, I went to college and have a high paying job now.

I guess I'm wondering if being considered URM is more related to the past personal experience of being underserved, in the hopes that it will produce a future Dr able to care for/relate to that patient population?

Or is URM status more related to helping the applicant achieve their dream, given the circumstances they are currently trying to work with (poverty, etc...)

2. I am Hispanic, but I would feel strange using it as a URM because I don't speak Spanish. And my whole family has been assimilated for generations, so I know nothing of Hispanic culture. Does this even matter? Is it considered URM for the cultural aspects or the actual ethnicity aspects? (Probably both, but I'm curious if one matters more, or if I qualify given my situation)

Thank you in advance

 

[Eccesignum]

I apologize if this has been answered elsewhere, I have 2 things that I think may make me URM, but am not sure.

1. Growing up in a very rural community, below poverty line. However, I went to college and have a high paying job now.

I guess I'm wondering if being considered URM is more related to the past personal experience of being underserved, in the hopes that it will produce a future Dr able to care for/relate to that patient population?

Or is URM status more related to helping the applicant achieve their dream, given the circumstances they are currently trying to work with (poverty, etc...)

2. I am Hispanic, but I would feel strange using it as a URM because I don't speak Spanish. And my whole family has been assimilated for generations, so I know nothing of Hispanic culture. Does this even matter? Is it considered URM for the cultural aspects or the actual ethnicity aspects? (Probably both, but I'm curious if one matters more, or if I qualify given my situation)

Thank you in advance

There is no 'URM [yes/no]' checkbox on AMCAS. You check what you consider to be your background, put down your parents' income/education level when you were growing up, and you tell your story through your PS and ECs. Schools then determine, based on their own criteria, whether you are part of an under-represented minority for their particular area and goals.

 

[Goro]

African-American, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Native Americans are URM.

Having a poor childhood means you were economically disadvantaged. That is a different box to check

 

[cellsaver]

2. I am Hispanic, but I would feel strange using it as a URM because I don't speak Spanish.

Learn it, embrace it, milk it. It will open doors for you in many business arenas within medicine. Plus your reach and frequency will be significant, your sphere of influence larger than your colleagues and your marketability will be global...literally.

Learn Spanish well....go to medical school then...and watch your faculty and physicians call for you by name to translate for Latino/ Italian / Portugués patients. Then there is the heck of a lot of good you can do with the largest minority group in America....Latinos. In this unfortunate anti-Latino political climate, Latinos patients need advocates.

¡Dale!

 

[gyngyn]

There is no single Hispanic culture.
There are many Hispanic communities and some of them are seriously under-repesented in medicine.
Merely being Hispanic is insufficient to give an application much of a boost. The designation is not intended to make reparations. It is for those who by their heritage, language skills and behavior have shown that they are likely to be committed to serve their community.

The Hispanic communities generally considered as under-represented are Mexican and mainland Puerto Ricans. Some schools also recognize Central American communities as UiM. Without the ability to speak Spanish, it will be challenging to make a case that you will fill the void.