Adcom and Disadvantaged Status

[futuregyn]

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Do adcom members really take disadvantaged/low-income status in ORMs into account when reviewing apps?

I'm an ORM but have been low-income for all of my life. Not asking for special treatment, just wondering if the scales are balanced. For example, a lower GPA in lower-income students living in poverty vs higher GPA in upper-class students not having to worry about supporting their family.

 

[Moko]

Yes, depends on the circumstances and how significant the differences in GPA are.

 

[futuregyn]

Yes, depends on the circumstances and how significant the differences in GPA are.

In my app, I didn't really talk about being low-income other than in my disadvantaged essay. And I didn't discuss in it how it affected my GPA. I just explained my circumstances in the essay. Will they be able to make the connection? I didn't want to dwell on it too much.

 

[Moko]

In my app, I didn't really talk about being low-income other than in my disadvantaged essay. And I didn't discuss in it how it affected my GPA. I just explained my circumstances in the essay. Will they be able to make the connection? I didn't want to dwell on it too much.

I think that's perfect. We can usually make the connection when we see someone working multiple part time jobs during college, etc., but a little nudge never hurts as long as it doesn't appear like you are trying to justify or excuse low grades. For example, it would be perfectly fine to suggest that you needed to balance academics with helping to raise siblings, avoiding homelessness, etc.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Yes, depends on the circumstances and how significant the differences in GPA are.

And the schools mission