I enjoyed a meeting with some of our students who are early minority
admissions to medical school. Having recently met with their rural cohorts
who have early admission, it was interesting to compare and contrast.
Both were a scattering of freshmen and sophomores. I saw the same
determination, the same respect for parents, teachers, and education.
I saw a scattering of concerns regarding self confidence in both.
I heard about much more internal pressure, generated by the minority
students. Their families and their race expect much from them and their
fears of failing to meet these expectations are high.
Both are trending towards all females. Mooks and the
Disappearing American Male
The minority females already had concerns about finding a suitable mate as
well as being able to have a family and do the things in their families
that their parents or parent did for them. Some had nurses and teachers as
parents who were previously interested in medicine.
The minority folks seemed to have a bit more maturity and some other job or
education experiences compared to rural, but some were a year or two
farther in school when compared to the rural folks who had started college
only a few weeks when I saw them. Both groups will be leaders, but I would
give a nod toward the minority folks regarding potential impact. We did
have more time for discussion and a smaller group however.
Minority folks had more options to go to other med schools as compared to
rural ones that will almost all stay at UNMC and do med school there.
Service and education ethic, plus opportunity like this is a great thing to
see. It restores me to see such fine people interested in medicine as well
as being a part of efforts to facilitate their careers.
Robert C. Bowman, M.D.
[email protected]
Minorities, Admissions, and Underserved
Education - the entire pipeline