The University of Minnesota Medical School enrolled a record number of first-year students of color this academic year. <\/p>\n
About one-third of the schools 170 first-year students are from multicultural backgrounds a statistic the school gathered by asking applicants to self-identify. Despite the schools success with recruiting students of color, some students say there is still room for added diversity among enrollees. <\/p>\n
Mary Tate, director of the Medical Schools Minority Affairs and Diversity office, said the school hasnt changed its recruitment methods, but instead has put more emphasis on attracting students of color. <\/p>\n
I think one of the things thats in place is that they do feel a sense of community from this school, she said. <\/p>\n
The schools recruitment efforts include a pilot program that connects high school students in need of mentoring with Medical School students, Tate said. <\/p>\n
In the program, Medical School students spend four years mentoring ninth-grade students of color at Higher Ground Academy in St. Paul, Tate said. The Medical School hopes that with the pilot program, the students in the academy consider attending the University for undergraduate education, and later for medical school. <\/p>\n
Julen Harris, a second-year medical student, said the schools increased diversity was part of the reason she decided to attend. <\/p>\n
She said although the Medical School is a welcoming place for students of color, she thinks officials could do more to attract those types of students. <\/p>\n
The increase in numbers [makes me] hopeful, Harris said. I think its a really positive thing. <\/p>\n
Tate said students who choose not to attend the Universitys Medical School receive a questionnaire asking them why they made that decision. Most students answer that they wouldnt receive enough financial aid to afford the school or that it lacks diversity, she said. <\/p>\n
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Medical School ups diversity<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The University of Minnesota Medical School enrolled a record number of first-year students of color this academic year. About one-third of the schools 170 first-year students are from multicultural backgrounds a statistic the school gathered by asking applicants to self-identify. Continue reading