Each year, I talk to applicants who say they don’t want their ethnic or racial identity to be part of their medical school application. Their hesitation usually stems from a desire to be judged purely on their merits. This is a noble principle that I respect. However, from the general perspective of the medical profession, it’s important to look at why having underrepresented groups in medicine is desirable. And from an admissions perspective, it’s essential that applicants from these groups consider how to best present themselves in their medical school applications.
Why do medical schools care about groups that are underrepresented in medicine?
A 2020 study of medical and other healthcare education highlighted the issue of diversity and inclusion in enhancing patient care: “It is important to have a healthcare workforce which represents the tapestry of our communities as it relates to race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, physical disability status, and socioeconomic level to render the best possible care to our diverse patient populations.”
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) observes that “research shows that a diverse and inclusive biomedical research workforce with individuals from historically excluded and underrepresented groups is critical to gathering the range of perspectives needed to identify and solve the complex scientific problems of today and tomorrow.” When we think about the default white male research subject that guided medical research for so long, it’s easy to see why diversity is highly valued by medical schools.
As part of its effort to increase diversity in medical education – and thereby promote greater diversity in the overall medical profession – the AAMC has committed itself to ensuring access to medical education and medicine-related careers for individuals from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups. The definition of underrepresented groups is dynamic, acknowledging the changing demographics of both society and the medical profession. Historically, this group has included the following populations: American Indians and Alaska Natives; Blacks and African-Americans; Hispanics, Latinos, and individuals of Spanish origin; and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.
The most recent medical school class (2023-2024) saw some notable increases in diversity, including greater numbers of American Indian and Alaska Native matriculants (14.7% over the previous year) and of Hispanic, Latino, and Spanish Origin matriculants (4.5% increase). This latter group accounted for 12.7% of total matriculants. However, Black and African-American students made up 10% of total matriculants, a slight decrease from the previous year, and the number of Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander matriculants fell 6.9%. AAMC Senior Director Geoffrey Young noted, “It is heartening to see that enrollment at the nation’s medical schools continues to diversify, but it also shows us where more progress is needed.” He added, “The AAMC and our member medical schools are committed to increasing the number of students from historically underrepresented groups.”
How can you best present this information in your application?
1. Disclose your ethnicity in the biography section.
Whether you are applying through AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS, you will have the opportunity to voluntarily identify your racial or ethnic origin. This information is used for several purposes:
- For federal and/or state reporting requirements
- To collect aggregate applicant and matriculant data (for example, the AAMC’s FACTS data) to confirm progress toward greater diversity
- To connect applicants with relevant organizations or interest groups during interviews
And of course, this information might also come up as a talking point in your interviews. You could decline to answer this question, but as an underrepresented minority, you would only help your application by providing this information.
Self-identifying is the easiest way to let admissions committees know that you are part of an underrepresented ethnic or racial group, but it’s not the only way.
2. Share how your background has influenced your career goals.
In your personal statement and secondaries, discuss how your background and identity have influenced your decision to enter medicine. For many underrepresented minority applicants, this might be a story of absence, such as never seeing themselves in the faces of their care providers. For others, it might include a mentor who helped them view medicine as an option. Your story will be your own, but fit your desire to pursue medicine into the context of increasing diversity among physicians in the United States.
3. Volunteer in medically underserved communities.
It will be easier to demonstrate what you hope to accomplish in your career if you’ve already gotten involved in serving your community. If you speak another language or want to improve the health of others, you might want to volunteer in medically underserved communities. It’s often one of the best experiences that students have in learning to put others first. Many students describe such work as pivotal in their decision to pursue medicine, helping them focus and see how much they can positively affect others.
4. Explore and celebrate diversity on your campus or at your workplace.
While you won’t stop being part of an underrepresented group as a passive member, active engagement with your identity and with the identity of others is highly desired by medical schools. This might mean taking history or sociology classes, joining your university’s Black Pre-Med Society or starting a group for Latinx researchers in your lab. These kinds of experiences can help you better understand the sociopolitical and historical factors that relate to our understanding of ethnicity and diversity today. You can take responsibility by becoming an educated citizen, demonstrating confidence and pride in your background, and celebrating the personal heritage of those around you.
Do you need help identifying and highlighting your diversity appeal? Work one-on-one with an Accepted expert to draw out your unique experiences and history to develop an application that matches your target school’s mission for diversity. Schedule a free consultation with an Accepted admissions consultant today about this and other elements of your med school application.
A former fellowship admissions committee member and administrator at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Cydney Foote has successfully advised healthcare applicants, including those applying to medical school, dental school, nursing and PA programs, veterinary school, public health and hospital administration programs, post-baccalaureate medical programs, residencies, and fellowships. Since 2001, she has brought her marketing and writing expertise to help science-focused students communicate their strengths. Want Cyd to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
Related Resources:
• From Example to Exemplary, a free guide
• The Diversity Essay: How to Write an Excellent Diversity Essay
• What’s New with the 2024 AMCAS Application?