My friend is applying to med school and he is considering to apply as a disadvantaged student. His family went through some financial problems while he was attending his undergrad. I was wondering what would be the financial cut off to be considered disadvantaged?
Disadvantaged or not?
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gildas said:
Doesn't everyone get some form of fed financial aid?
I don't know if I'd use this as criteria to claim disadvantaged status. However, if the OP's friend feels disadvantaged in some way, then he should go ahead and check the box. There's not a straight answer that defines disadvantaged status, and each case is different. It's the details that are important.
Nina
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if you have to ask you shouldnt apply disadvantaged
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IMHO, disadvantage refers to a person whose socioeconomic background prevented them from attending decent elementary and high schools. As a result, they were unable to enter a very reputable college.
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Cerbernator said:
Don't I remember you having questions about this cerb, and after asking deciding to apply disadvataged? Maybe my memory is off. Anyway, I disagree, just because you ask does not mean you are not disadvantaged. It really depends on individual circumstances. OP, in the end, its really up to you to check the box and write the essay explaining why you did. If you think your reasons are good, they probably are, as long as your mature enough to know that being forced to work 10 hours a week during school for beer money is not disadvantaged, while working 40+ hours a week(with no medical insurance) to support a familiy during undergrad might be(this was my case). Just ask yourself, did something out of your control, that typical students do not have to deal with, place a serious burden on you that had an effect on your access to and/or ability to perform at your full potential in school ? That is my opinion.
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Cerbernator said:
Sound advice.
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I disagree. There seems to be such a stigma around applying disadvantaged that some people I would consider seriously disadvantaged won't apply as such.
However, in the case of the op's friend, I would say probably not. BTW, why is it always some "friend of the op"? Doesn't this friend have a PC? Can't they make their own account? Okay, enough ranting.
However, in the case of the op's friend, I would say probably not. BTW, why is it always some "friend of the op"? Doesn't this friend have a PC? Can't they make their own account? Okay, enough ranting.
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acab said:
Just cause you attended a reputable college doesn't mean you're not disadvantaged. If you grew up poor and had to work through high school to support the family and studied hard enough to get into a good college, it doesn't mean you're suddenly not disadvantaged.
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medic170 said:
Well, I was questioning whether applying disadvantaged would harm or help an applicant. Not questioning whether I was disadvantaged. I think if you are a disadvantaged applicant you should DEFINITELY know it.
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Cerbernator said:
Ok Cerb, I agree with you that if you are disadvantaged you should know it, but I don't think its wrong to question whether or not you should check the box, or whether or not one's disadvantages warrant it. BTW, good luck with your apps. Did you decide to apply disadvantaged? Just curious.
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medic170 said:
I did decide to, I decided it would be hard not to after my PS and recieving FAP.
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If you have to even ask yourself the question without knowing already that you're disadvantaged, you're probably not disadvantaged.
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BTW - this is NOT disadvantaged IMHO
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http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/amcas2005worksheet.pdf
"What was the income level of your family during the majority of your life from birth to age eighteen?"
"Have you or members of your immediate family ever used federal or state assistance programs?"
"Were you required to contribute to the overall family income (as opposed to working primarily for your own discretionary spending money)?"
"What was the income level of your family during the majority of your life from birth to age eighteen?"
"Have you or members of your immediate family ever used federal or state assistance programs?"
"Were you required to contribute to the overall family income (as opposed to working primarily for your own discretionary spending money)?"
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Umm, I received the SDS scholarship during medschool. It paid nearly 14k each year for the first two years. Then we went to war and I lost my scholarship. I am 136K in debt instead of 164K. AND i still don't know why I am disadvantaged. Just lucky I guess. My medschool financial people were very helpful to my needs. I give em thumbs up. 👍
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acab said:
Not sure if anyone has pointed this out, but this is one of the dumbest things I've heard today. Go back and read your post, maybe you didn't mean it like you wrote it.
