In case you didn’t already know, medical schools look at more than just statistics when considering an applicant.
Among many factors, they want to see future students who can exhibit the 15 Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students.
Fifteen competencies would be too much to cover in one article, so we’re going to release a series of posts that cover each one and explain how you can most convincingly show that competency in your application.
In this article we’ll be exploring Cultural Competence. Let’s talk about what it means, how most pre-meds satisfy it, and how you can make your Cultural Competence stand out among the pool of applicants.
Cultural competence is the ability to understand, appreciate, and interact with people from cultures or belief systems different from one's own. It is important for individuals to be able to avoid bias, but at the same time being able to address it when seen.
There are a variety of ways that pre-meds typically build and display their Cultural Competence:
This is a great way to create more exclusivity and equity on campus or in your community.
If possible, try to join a club of a different culture than yours. That way, you are exposed to diversity and learn more about other people’s experiences.
Many universities have programs where you can spend several weeks, a month, or even a whole semester in a different country.
To get the most out of your experience, try to live with a host family. You will get the full perspective of life and language in a different culture.
It’s most relevant if you can go abroad on a mission, whether it is to build schools or provide healthcare, to show your dedication to service or quality care for underserved populations.
This would typically mean joining an organization that focuses on helping those of a lower socioeconomic status. Some notable examples would be working at a food bank to assist individuals with food insecurities or assisting with a non-profit that helps homeless veterans find jobs and achieve stability.
When it comes to joining/creating a club, think about some ways it would have a lasting positive impact on other students and campus life.
After going abroad, try to master the language by having it as a minor or to continuously practice speaking it. It’s also ideal to maintain connection or involvement with your host family and the local community.
Whether it is traveling abroad for a mission or helping those in need within the community, think about what improvements can be made to make the mission as impactful as possible. Try to obtain a leadership position and create a continuous relationship with the initiative in the future.
When talking about your time aboard, it is important to speak about your interactions and continuity with the people you met, not just the reason why you traveled to a different country. Avoid giving off the tone of ‘voluntourism’ by showing that your experience wasn’t limited to just a week or month.
From what you have experienced and learned, try to come up with ways to decrease bias. This could be achieved through a quality improvement research project, educational outreach, or new curricula at your school.
It’s important to practice cultural competence - not just as a pre-med, but also as a future doctor. You will undoubtedly interact with patients from a variety of backgrounds, so it’s imperative to combat your preconceived biases or beliefs and form a treatment plan that best suits the patient.
About the Author:
Badyah Senussi is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento, with a B.S. in Biomedical Science. During her time at university, she was a Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Facilitator, where she ran a classroom of students, helped them complete worksheets (specifically in physiology), and held office hours. Her ambition is to become a physician with a focus on mental health. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, baking, and writing jokes in hopes of doing stand-up comedy someday.
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