Is it really this hard?

norcalguy
Thu, 03 May 2012 18:56:05 +0000

I wonder if URMs actually do eventually practice in underserved communities. If that is the rationale for admitting them with lower stats, there should be some data to support it.



The “data” that is usually cited are AAMC graduation surveys in which URM’s disproportionately say they will practice in underserved areas (I’ve taken such surveys myself). Whether this actually happens 10 years down the line, I don’t know. I would love to see any follow-up data on this.

This is the rationale often used but I don’t think it’s the true rationale. I think the true rationale is simply to build a diverse/colorful med school class. Even research oriented med schools that seek to produce academic clinicians rather than family med doctors who work in the inner cities go to ridiculous lengths to recruit URM’s.

In keeping with the topic at hand, indeed URM’s receive a fairly sizable boost in med school admissions. And, yes, URM’s are not created equal. Generally, Native American = African American male > African American female > Mexical/Puerto Rican Hispanics > Other Hispanics (Cubans, South Americans, etc.) > Whites/Asians