Harvard Medical School Profile

pmyen
Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:19:56 +0000

Of color would also include Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Indian (subcontinent) and other from Asian. Middle-eastern might even be included in their definition (although it often is not at many schools). It would not suprise me if 30%+ of the class is made up of students from these ethnic groups. Like the Jews, these ethnic groups have traditionally valued education as an end to itself as well as a pathway for upward social mobility in the U.S. Additionally, the professions, particularly medicine, are highly respected among these ethnic groups (I know because I belong to one of them). Thus medicine attracts many of the very top students from these Asian groups. I do not find it surprising that they are so overrepresented. I also would guess that probably at least 20% of the class may be Jewish. Among the general U.S. population, many top students will choose other areas, particularly business and law or even more creative endeavors whereas medicine is often the favorite profession among these ethnic groups.