entomom

These are possible hook or tip factors for UG, but the last two are not for med school. And this definition would likely not include some Hispanics depending on their country of origin, however the acceptance stats appear to show otherwise.

Here is the official AAMC definition:

https://www.aamc.org/initiatives/urm/

Under this definition, some SE Asians (eg. Vietnamese, Laotian) might be considered URMs, not ORM.

[Note: this is just to clarify the AAMA definition of URM, not a comment on the OPs summer program]

plumazul

And if you're seeking an MD/PhD, you can add being female to the definition.

DCal430

Actually SE Asians are now over represented in Medicine and Medical Schools.

WayOutWestMom

^^Most SE Asian are, but not certain subgroups (as entomom mentioned).

Vietnamese and Laotians are still considered URMs at most medical schools.

bookiemom

sviola: you have a very strong application as is, but a year off will strengthen your application even further. I have a suggestion for you. My D worked for about a year in an Alzheimer's assisted living facility. She spent six months as the acting activities director and six months as a meds adminstration aide. She learned so much about dealing with memory impaired patients and with their families. (I have said I would have paid the facility for her to work there because she learned so much.) She used these experiences for some of her secondary essays and in her interviews when asked about her work. She is now a 4th year med student.

I know you have EMT experience and international experience, but this would be something different to add to your direct patient experience.

It's really better for your mental health to have a year or two off before med school starts. That way you can take a few weeks or a month off before starting school to travel or just prepare for the adventure ahead!

plumazul

I suppose there exist some people out there for which this is true, but for me and most everyone I know, it would be a horrible ordeal to take a year off. I enjoy my studies, I travel every year, and there is nothing wrong with my "mental health"

i_wanna_be_Brown

^I agree, I think it's more like "If you're thinking a year off might be good for you, it probably is." I saw several people who didn't take a year off hit a wall during the first semester of winter break that most of the returning people did not but on the flip side, there were people who took time off that struggled to get back into the swing of school life.

Even if you enjoy what you're studying and what you do on vacation, it can still be nice to experience life outside of the bubbles of college and med school and experience life without a regular schedule of exams before you're 27.