I have a few provisos that I would like to put forth before I delve in.
1. This is my opinion and I will try my best to be comprehensive, play devil’s advocate and encourage discussion. In this “PC” world we live in, people are afraid to state their opinion.
"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything." - Alexander Hamilton
2. As an educated person, I am open-minded, I appeal to reason and my opinions are not fixed. I love and encourage healthy debate. Learning and becoming more informed helps with dealing with diversity.
3. The definition of URM that I am using is that of the AAMC: "Underrepresented in medicine means those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population."
4. I want to discuss what happens to typical URM, the obstacles that lead to lower college retention which eventually leads to lower medical school admission.
5. I will ask questions, some will be answered with quotes and others indirectly with my own opinion.
6. I will NOT discuss the controversial topic of white privilege, but I will refer you to this website. http://occupywallstreet.net/story/explaining-white-privilege-broke-white-person
7. Last but not least. My views are a lay interpretation of my surroundings, current events and my experiences (I am aware there are many sides to every story). Embracing social diversity is necessary to promote a variety of perspectives and an exchange of ideas.
Please note: “When babies are born, they are unaware of racial difference and attach no intrinsic value to skin color. We know that they begin to notice racial differences and their effects between the ages of two and four. Throughout their childhood, they are bombarded with stereotypes, misinformation and lies about race.”- Paul Kivel http://www.paulkivel.com/component/jdownloads/finish/1/103/0?Itemid=31
AMSA’s study reveals:
“… factors contributing to the lack of progress in minority enrollment has been the inability of elementary and high school systems attended by minorities to adequately prepare students for college level science and provide role models in the medical profession to students. In addition, financial barriers exist for minority students pursuing college and graduate studies.”
According to Daphne W. Ntiri’s “Access to Higher Education for Nontraditional Students and Minorities in a Technology-Focused Society” :
“…One of the realities confronting the United States is that a major proportion of racial and ethnic minority students in this country have unequal access to higher education…”
What can be done to increase the numbers (what are the numbers)?
US Census Bureau:
“…In 2000, minorities comprised approximately 30% of the population of the United States (US Census Bureau). By 2050, it is projected that the minority population will represent approximately 50% of the total U. S. population, meaning ethnically and racially diverse people may no longer be a numerical minority…”
According to the Council on Graduate Medical Education (COGME):
“…increasing the number of URM students who successfully advance through the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary academic pipeline is the first step to enlarge the potential number of these students eligible to enter medical school.”
My answer: Meet URM students in the middle (middle school that is) provide them with enrichment opportunities that allow them to see past their environment. This past summer (2014) I had the opportunity to work as a Teacher assistant for STEP a science-focused, college-preparatory program a part of a National Early College Initiative that helps prepare low income, underrepresented youth to transition from high school to college. As a Teaching assistant, I worked with a high school Biology and middle school general science teacher in a laboratory. In this capacity, I guided students with apparatus set up, data collection and lab report writing. What stood out to me the most, is the difference in attitude between the middle school students and the high-school students. The Middle school students were eager to learn, apply brute force, examine and ask questions. The high-school students didn’t share the same enthusiasm. This lead me to believe that the earlier the intervention the better the outcome ( i.e. higher college acceptance rates among minorities)
Is affirmative action still necessary? (and for those who have benefited from affirmative action does it mean you were not qualified)?
Let’s look at the famous case of Fisher vs. University of Texas. The back story is Abigail Fisher, a white female who had a GPA of 3.59 and score of 1180 out of 1600 on the SAT was denied admission to the University of Texas at Austin in 2008. She alleged the University had reversibly discriminated against her based on race and was in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. She argued that minority students with fewer impressive credentials than hers had been admitted.
“…The University of Texas at Austin considers race as one of various factors in its undergraduate admissions process. The University, which is committed to increasing racial minority enrollment, adopted its current program after this Court decided Grutter v. Bollinger…” excerpt from - http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/pdf/11-345.pdf
The Fisher vs. University of Texas results: In a 2-1 decision, the Fifth Circuit found in favor of the school in its decision to use race as a part of a holistic admissions approach to achieve diversity.
*Side note: Grutter vs. Bollinger similar story: In 1997, Barbara Grutter, a white female resident of Michigan, had a 3.8 undergraduate GPA and a 161 LSAT score was denied admission to the University of Michigan Law School. The Law School admits that it uses race as a factor in making admissions decisions. The Supreme Court ruled that the use of affirmative action in school admission is constitutional if it treats race as one factor among many.
I believe that looking holistically at each applicant is a far better admission criterion than looking at grades alone. Since there are numerous factors that lead to high grades all of which may or may not depend on academic ability. Please note affirmative action may get someone to the door but THAT is its extent.
